Delhi needs more smog tower?

Does Delhi need more smog towers? This question is being raised in several circles as demand for smog towers is growing in several parts of the capital city Delhi and NCR. As Delhi has faced critical situation in the recent past the administrative and environmental structure have come out with a robust ‘solution’ in form of smog towers. Two smog towers have already installed in the city but experts have come out with different opinions on smog towers. Some experts term it as vaccume cleaner while others say an innovative solution for congested and busy urban areas.

It is difficult to get right answer in the debate as both have own points but this is a matter of the fact that the smog towers have been installed in the city’s busiest areas including Rajiv Chowk and Anand Vihar areas. It is yet to ascertain the changes in the quality of air due to this. But experts believe that even if this work like a vaccume cleaner, it can reduce the particulate matter of PM level to a great extent, that causes pollution.  

It is notable that Supreme Court of India has to intervene into matter and made sharpest comments on the administration and government on failure of tackling the crisis earlier. And, Union Minister of Environment had to make a detailed statement in the parliament on the issue. But, despite all the issue yet to be resolved. Air Quality Index (AQI) in different parts of Delhi took long to come down to normal level or healthier level. Interesting fact is that other metropolitan cities like Mumbai or Bangalore or some others are not facing such a severe crisis despite having several industrial units in these cities or their adjoining areas. In some areas level of pm 2.5 is much below than 100 mark that indicate healthier AQI.

It must be noted climate change is probably the biggest challenge around the globe and so the pollution too. The solution has finally been worked out in form of ‘air purifier towers’, use of mask, odd-even and some other tougher measures. But, here we must understand that Delhi has hardly any big polluting industrial units. Even, coal based power generation units too are now converted into gas-based power plants. Certainly, a large amount of pollutants come from adjoining state as large number of industries are operated in the adjoining areas apart from stubble burning.

Long ago, the government, talked about pollution sucker or a kind of air pollution treatment plants, mounted over chimneys or such polluting units. This will a great help to reduce air pollution. (CTW)