Air purification systems will be installed at five major intersections of the city within two months as a pilot project, the Delhi government said on Friday.
Delhi Transport Minister Satyendra Jain said a mist fountain will also be installed at one major intersection to purify the air.
We have identified five major intersections in Delhi where comprehensive air treatment systems will be installed. If the pilot project is successful, it will be expanded to other intersections as well.Satyendra Jain, Delhi Transport Minister
The system has potential to reduce carbon monoxide and particulate emission by 40 to 60 per cent in 20 to 30 metre radius during peak hours of traffic.
Three days before Diwali, the air quality in several areas in Delhi was already severely critical.
He added that the system has been designed by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) along with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B).
The five locations where the systems will be installed are Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar, Kashmere Gate, ITO and IIT Delhi/AIIMS.
It is a modular system and can be scaled based on the space available at the intersections. It can even be installed on the central verge of the road. Experts say that it can have a big impact on pollution by arresting the pollutants in the air. Recycled water can be used in this fountain which will be supplied by Delhi Jal Board.Satyendra Jain, Delhi Transport Minister
Jain added that a mist fountain will come up at one location.
He also said that the government has set a target of one-and-a-half to two months for both the pilot projects.
A government statement said the purification systems will tackle carbon monoxide, NOx and hydrocarbons.
The decision was taken at the third meeting of the inter-ministerial task force set up by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to tackle the issues of air pollution and garbage disposal.
(With inputs from IANS)
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