GURUGRAM: The air quality in the city has remained in the ‘very poor’ category for the second consecutive day. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) is urging numerous residential and commercial developments to implement smog guns or water-sprinkling systems to manage dust levels in the winter. The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded an index of 315 on Friday, an improvement from the previous day’s 353, but still classified as ‘very poor.’
The HSPCB’s advisory was distributed to over 180 group housing societies, condominiums, plotted colonies, and commercial complexes citywide, including significant developments in DLF City, Golf Course Road, Golf Course Extension Road, Sohna Road, New Gurgaon, Cyber City, and Manesar.
High-rise societies and large organizations are advised to install at least one smog gun or water-sprinkling system for every four towers, adding one for each additional set of four. “These systems should be installed at an adequate height with directional nozzles, ensuring coverage of internal roads, common areas, parking lots, and surrounding stretches without causing waterlogging or inconvenience for residents,” an HSPCB official stated.
The advisory recommends using treated water from sewage treatment facilities when possible to conserve potable water, suggesting operation during early mornings and evenings or when AQI levels fall into the poor, very poor, severe, or severe-plus categories. “Operational intensity should increase on days with low wind speeds, temperature inversions, or high dust concentrations,” it added.
Residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) and management committees are required to ensure regular maintenance and cleanliness of nozzles, adhering to electrical safety standards to prevent water seepage and structural damage.
The advisory emphasizes regular street sweeping, banning open burning of waste and leaves, proper storage of construction materials, and regulation of diesel generator use and emissions.
“Each society must appoint a responsible member or officer to monitor the system and maintain a logbook detailing operation times and durations, which must be presented to authorities upon request,” the official specified.
Residents are encouraged to cooperate with these measures “for the sake of public health and environmental protection.” The circular was also shared with the municipal commissioner and the deputy commissioner of Gurgaon.
