Elevated corridor to have air purifiers to mollify opposition

Bengaluru: In order to mollify the opposition to the proposed elevated corridor, for which thousands of trees will be cut, Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) is planning to install air purifiers along the 102 km long corridor network.

The corridor project, which aims to reduce road traffic congestion in Bengaluru, plans to install open-air purifiers and carbon absorbent machines.

This is in compliance with the conditions laid down by The State Level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), which gave the NoC for the project in March 2019. The SEIAA had said that project proponent should install system to carry out ambient air quality monitoring for common/criterion parameters relevant to the main particle pollutants released (Ex PM2.5 and PM10) covering upwind and downwind directions during construction period.

Dr K.S.  Krishna Reddy, Secretary, PWD, said, "Air cleaners and carbon-absorbing machines are implemented in the most fragile (more polluted) junctions of the proposed 102 km long elevated corridor. These machines are being implemented both before and after the construction to review the pollution level".

“These are not the regular air purifiers or carbon-absorbing machines, but they are of high capacity and advanced machines that will absorb SPM and other major pollutants present in the air. These machines will be much stronger and advanced than what has already been installed in the city as part of a pilot project,” Dr Reddy said.

However, some point out that since the proposed elevated road is at a height of 12 metres, it will cause less pollution due to the high wind impact. It is the road underneath that will bear the brunt and hence purifiers are more needed at these spots.