As part of the various measures adopted to combat pollution at its construction sites, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has pressed into service 14 Anti Smog Guns (ASGs) at its sites, which throws fine mist from time to time to check the possibility of dust pollution emanating from the construction work.
- Currently, as part of its Phase 4 corridors as well as some other construction projects, 12 civil contracts are operational across the national capital.
- These state-of-the-art ASGs are capable of spraying fine mist up to 70 to 100 metres.
- One ASG is considered adequate for covering an area up to 20,000 square metres.
- It is ensured that the water used for sprinkling are free from coliforms, viruses and bacteria.
- High quality nozzles with droplet sizes of 10 to 50 micro metres are used for greater impact.
- With the gradual expansion of construction work, more such ASGs shall be introduced at the sites in the days ahead.
- DMRC’s Environment department is conducting regular inspections to ensure that the ASGs are regularly used at the sites by the contractors.
- Traditionally, ASGs have been used at coal and cement manufacturing sites across the world.
DMRC doing some work as the following:
- In November, 2016, DMRC became possibly the first construction company in the National Capital Region to use ASGs at its sites as a pilot project.
- Based on the feedback received from the initial use of ASGs at the sites, their use was made mandatory in the conditions of contract for civil contractors in DMRC’s fourth phase of expansion.
- Now the Delhi Government has also made the use of ASGs mandatory for all construction agencies in the national capital as a tool to combat pollution.
- Detailed guidelines regarding the use of water droplets, nozzles etc have also been issued in this regard.
- The entire northern part of India, especially the National Capital Region (NCR) grapples with the menace of severe pollution during the months of October to December.
- Apart from the regular use of ASGs, DMRC takes a number of other measures to minimize the impact of pollution emanating from its sites.
- To make it more effective daily barricade cleaning and toe dust cleaning is carried out.
- All construction materials are properly covered with tarpaulin and other materials.
- Wheels of vehicles leaving the sites are properly cleaned so that they do not spread dust or mud on the streets.
- The materials carried by them are also adequately covered.
- All roads leading to major construction sites are properly black topped and the construction and demolition waste generated are recycled at specified C&D recycling facilities.
- Medical care facilities are also available for workers who are involved in the loading and unloading work of such materials.
- DMRC accords the highest priority to the issue of protection of the environment as an integral part of its work culture.
Source: DMRC-Press Release
