MUMBAI: An experiment will soon get underway at three busy traffic junctions in the city to ascertain if a new airpurifying device, called WAYU, can disperse the deadly particulate matter. The three spots—Sion flyover, Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road in Ghatkopar and Bhandup—are part of the seven locations identified through a pilot study, led by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) that is evaluating pollution levels at traffic junctions in Mumbai.
NEERI, IIT-B, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and E-Square Solutions have collaborated to create WAYU (Wind Augmentation and purifYing Unit), which runs on solar power. The NEERI-led study was commissioned to assess air quality at 33 congested junctions and identify locations to instal the device. Installation work at the three selected locations has already begun. "We have placed the equipment and preliminary tests are underway," said NEERI director Dr Rakesh Kumar.
The project aims to reduce air pollution levels at traffic junctions. "There are plans to instal the device at Kalanagar in Bandra and CST too, but paperwork is pending. Also, CST is a heritage site," said Kumar.
At all the 33 junctions where air quality was assessed, the average concentration of PM10 (particulate matter that is less than 10 microns in diameter) was at least six times higher than what it should be—100 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m3). While Dindoshi was the most polluted junction with an average PM10 concentration of 2709.25 ug/m3, the Siddhivinayak intersection was found to be least polluted at 596 ug/m3. Sion Hospital and JJ Hospital junctions recorded a concentration of 685.3ug/m3 and 919ug/m3 respectively.
Kumar said there are about 70 spots in the city where vehicular density and pollution is high and hence, several WAYU units will have to be set up. "In Saki Naka, we have identified four junctions," he added.
Experts feel such a device could bring down dust particles at traffic junctions. "Reducing dust is necessary because it has a direct impact on health," said Avick Sil, regional director at Environment Policy and Research India.
