In absence of proper regulations, dust pollution continues unabated

GURUGRAM: With Gurugram facing unhealthy air quality levels, dust along with vehicular pollution continues to be major factors for the deterioration of air quality in the city.

The adverse effect of dust pollution is further compounded with most of the construction firms not following the norms. Most of the under-construction projects are not covered as has been directed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines.

According to government sources, lack of regulation about overloaded heavy vehicles plying along the National Highway-8 is also contributing to the rising dust pollution.

At present, there is no government mechanism to tackle rising levels of dust pollution in the city. Shortage of vacuum cleaner trucks in the city has resulted in dust being wiped off through brooms, a process which proves counter-productive as it adds to dust pollution.

Large-scale construction activities, shortage of vacuum cleaning trucks and dwindling green cover continue to be some of the major reasons for the high-level of dust pollution in Gurugram.

As all major routes in the city are undergoing major infrastructural works, high levels of dust pollution always become a major problem during heavy traffic hours.

The areas in the city which are facing the problems of dust pollution are important traffic points along NH-8, Golf Course Road, Golf Course Extension Road, MG Road and Civil Lines Road.

“Dust pollution is a major challenge in Gurugram. We are coordinating with the officials of Municipal Corporation of Gurugram on the issue. The existing process of cleaning dusty city roads with brooms has not been useful especially when there are lot of construction activities taking place in the city. We hope to introduce vacuum cleaning of major routes in the city, soon,” said a senior official from Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB).

“We have also penalised construction firms which do not follow the NGT guidelines,” added the official.

Air quality level remained poor in the city on Sunday. While particulate matters of 10 microns were recorded in the range of 300-350 micrograms per cubic metre, the more harmful particulate matter of 2.5 microns were recorded in the range of 150-180 micrograms per cubic metre, exceeding beyond its safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.

The pollution levels of Gurugram on certain occasions have even surpassed that of Delhi, making it the most polluted place in the country.