GUWAHATI: To combat rising air pollution and maintain cleaner streets, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has deployed water sprinkler vehicles across the city. While the initiative has been in operation for some time, questions remain about its overall effectiveness in addressing Guwahati’s unique environmental challenges.
Guwahati’s air quality reached alarming levels on Saturday, January 4, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing the 300-mark in several areas. The AQI recorded at Railway Colony stood at a concerning 327, categorised as "Very Poor." Other key locations, including IIT Guwahati and LGBI Airport, also reported poor air quality, with AQI readings of 277 and 229, respectively. The hazardous air quality has raised serious concerns about the health and safety of residents, especially vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. Adding to the challenges, a thick layer of fog enveloped the city last night, further reducing visibility and making commuting hazardous.
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One of the primary objectives of the water sprinkler vehicles is to reduce dust levels on city roads, a significant contributor to air pollution. Regular sprinkling in key areas such as B.Borooah Road, GS Road, RG Baruah Road, Hatigaon, and Maligaon has led to noticeable reductions in visible dust, particularly during dry seasons.
However, many argue that the effort’s impact on air quality is marginal at best as people feel sprinkling water is a temporary measure.
Talking to GPlus, Arshad Ali, a college student said, “It does reduce dust for a few hours, but the effect is not long-lasting, especially on busy roads with continuous vehicular movement.”
Currently, GMC operates a limited fleet of water sprinkler vehicles, which restricts coverage to major roads and high-traffic areas. Residents in less prominent areas complain that the initiative has yet to reach their neighbourhoods, leaving many roads dusty and neglected.
GMC faces logistical hurdles in ensuring the consistent operation of these vehicles. Irregular water supply and maintenance issues have occasionally disrupted the schedule, further reducing the effectiveness of the program. Additionally, heavy traffic during peak hours hampers the mobility of the sprinkler vehicles, delaying their operations. So, measures are taken to optimise and plan the timing along with the route of the water sprinkler vehicles.
Talking to GPlus, GMC Mayor Mrigen Sarania said, “There is no specific timing for the sprinklers. It is requirement-based and run whenever there is a need or we get a call.”
To improve the impact of water sprinkling, experts recommend integrating it with other measures, such as planting vegetation along roadsides, improving waste management to reduce construction debris, and encouraging stricter vehicular pollution controls.
For now, the effort is a work in progress, offering some relief but falling short of addressing the larger problem.
