For the second consecutive day, Gurgaon's air quality has languished in the 'very poor' category, prompting the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to issue a stringent advisory to hundreds of residential and commercial complexes. The board has mandated the installation of smog guns or water-sprinkling systems to combat dust pollution during the winter months.
AQI Readings and Immediate Action
The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 315 on Friday, which marked a slight improvement from Thursday's reading of 353. However, both figures firmly reside in the very poor bracket, posing significant health risks to residents. In response, the HSPCB has dispatched its advisory to more than 180 group housing societies, condominiums, plotted colonies, and commercial complexes across key areas.
Major projects in DLF City, Golf Course Road, Golf Course Extension Road, Sohna Road, New Gurgaon, Cyber City, and Manesar are among those instructed to comply. The directive is a clear move to institutionalize dust mitigation measures at the source.
Specifications and Operational Guidelines
The HSPCB has provided detailed specifications for the anti-smog systems. High-rise societies and large establishments have been advised to install at least one smog gun or water-sprinkling system for every cluster of up to four towers. An additional unit must be added for every subsequent set of four towers.
An HSPCB official emphasized the installation criteria, stating, "The systems should be installed at an adequate height with directional nozzles to ensure uniform coverage of internal roads, common areas, parking lots, and peripheral stretches. This must be done without causing waterlogging or inconvenience to residents."
The advisory strongly recommends using treated water from sewage treatment plants to conserve potable water. Operational timings are specified for early mornings and evenings, or whenever the AQI slips into the poor, very poor, severe, or severe-plus categories.
"Operation may be intensified on days with low wind speed, temperature inversion, or high dust concentration," the circular added.
Broader Dust Control Measures and Compliance
Beyond smog guns, the HSPCB has outlined a comprehensive set of dust control protocols for Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and management committees. These include:
- Regular sweeping of internal roads.
- Strict prohibition of open burning of waste and dry leaves.
- Proper covering of construction material stored within premises.
- Regulation of diesel generator movement and their emissions.
The board has stressed the importance of regular maintenance, cleaning of nozzles, and adherence to electrical safety norms to prevent water seepage, structural damage, or safety hazards.
To ensure accountability, each society must nominate a responsible member or officer to monitor the system. They are required to maintain a detailed logbook recording the date, time, and duration of operation, which must be produced for authorities upon request.
The HSPCB has urged residents to cooperate with these measures "in the interest of public health and environmental protection." The advisory has also been forwarded to the Municipal Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner of Gurgaon for wider enforcement and oversight.
