Vijayawada: Guntur municipal corporation (GMC) has set its focus on improving air quality in the city by taking measures to contain air pollution. Guntur secured third spot in the country in the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan (clean air) contest organised as part of national clean air programme for 2023-24. The civic body also received a cash reward of Rs 25 lakh from the Union govt.
The civic body has decided to further improve its ranking at the national level in the coming year. Municipal commissioner Puli Srinivasulu said they have decided to take up construction of major roads in drain-to-drain mode to contain the spread of dust on roads. “We will switch to scientific methods to achieve better results. The national award was also a reward for the citizens who cooperated with the civic body. We are taking people along with us in making the programme a success. We are hopeful of getting better results with the new approach,” said Srinivasulu.
He said they have already constructed JKC college road and IV lane in Brodiepet in end-to-end BT cover as a pilot project and plan more roads in similar model to bring down the spread of air pollution. “We have noticed that leaving a portion of major roads without any cover is resulting in more air pollution. We found that dust is razing on the main roads because pedestrian walkways or a portion on both sides of the major roads are left as gravel roads while 80 percent will be covered with BT or CC. The leftover gravel portion is spreading dust when vehicles move on them,” he explained.
GMC has fitted two more air quality testing kits — one each at govt general hospital, Auto Nagar AIIC building, Nalanda Nagar, and municipal travellers bungalow. Pollution Control Board authorities will monitor the air quality levels and send reports to the GMC from time to time. GMC has also decided to use water tankers to sprinkle water on gravel roads to contain the spread of dust during the construction of new roads.
The civic body has decided to further improve its ranking at the national level in the coming year. Municipal commissioner Puli Srinivasulu said they have decided to take up construction of major roads in drain-to-drain mode to contain the spread of dust on roads. “We will switch to scientific methods to achieve better results. The national award was also a reward for the citizens who cooperated with the civic body. We are taking people along with us in making the programme a success. We are hopeful of getting better results with the new approach,” said Srinivasulu.
He said they have already constructed JKC college road and IV lane in Brodiepet in end-to-end BT cover as a pilot project and plan more roads in similar model to bring down the spread of air pollution. “We have noticed that leaving a portion of major roads without any cover is resulting in more air pollution. We found that dust is razing on the main roads because pedestrian walkways or a portion on both sides of the major roads are left as gravel roads while 80 percent will be covered with BT or CC. The leftover gravel portion is spreading dust when vehicles move on them,” he explained.
GMC has fitted two more air quality testing kits — one each at govt general hospital, Auto Nagar AIIC building, Nalanda Nagar, and municipal travellers bungalow. Pollution Control Board authorities will monitor the air quality levels and send reports to the GMC from time to time. GMC has also decided to use water tankers to sprinkle water on gravel roads to contain the spread of dust during the construction of new roads.
