GUWAHATI: The people at AT Road in Guwahati are dealing with the issue of dust leading to air pollution due to the ongoing construction of the Assam Police Reserve campus.
The Assam Police Campus is deemed to be one of 7 infrastructural projects worth ₹1,776 crore, and the project was implemented by the Public Works Department (PWD- Building and National Highway) department and the tenders have been given to the Larson and Toubro construction company. This project covers a total area of 11.9 acres where the build-up area will be 1,07,298 sq. mtr. This recent construction has given rise to incessant dust from the building components and debris in the locality of the city.
This is leading to poor Air Quality Index (AQI) in the area with many residents finding it difficult to operate, and breathe along with many suffering from respiratory issues.
Speaking to GPlus, Deepak Jain who owns a shop at AT Road said, "Due to the construction works, the dust almost covers everything and in turn hampers our business."
Maitree Das, who was passing through the area told the correspondent of GPlus that, "The road is filled with dust, and walking on that road is almost next to impossible."
Despite the directive from DGP GP Singh for police officials to water the road at least twice daily, this was initially put into action but unfortunately lasted only for a short time. According to local residents, the roads have not been consistently watered as instructed, not even once.
The new building consisting of a parade ground, a new office building, an 8-story multi-level parking space, a police monument, community centres, businesses, schools, a temple, and Nam Ghar are just a few of the new constructions that will be built as part of this project.
Although the GMC has taken initiatives to sprinkle water on the roads.
Speaking to an official from GMC, "we have received numerous complaints from residents and let me assure you, we are watering the road on a regular basis.