Vijayawada: Air pollution has come down in Vijayawada, as per the reports of the Pollution Control Board. PM 10 (Particulate Matter) reading was 102, a fortnight ago, but now it has dropped to 83, which is a major change. PM 2.5 is at 37, which is supposed to be less than 100, as per the pollution standards. Ozone reads at 9 against the range less than 30. Sweeping during the night times, watering and sprinkling by the municipal corporation has given good results in increasing the quality of air.
The district administration has put in efforts to increase the air quality and reduce pollution by taking up different measures, despite the many construction works and traffic snarls in the city. Every night, staff of the VMC authorised agency have been sweeping the roads with machines and then watering and sprinkling to prevent the dust raise. This apart, compact machines are being used to lift garbage.
The district administration distributed 22,000 plants 11,000 shops, two each. Even the wine shop owners were asked to raise plants. There are plans to distribute 3 lakh plants in the city, one to each home. These ornamental plants will produce 260 pounds of oxygen and absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide, as per the Pollution Control Board report.
In the last fifteen days, with instructions from the higher officials, more efforts are being put to check air pollution. Over 10 vehicles causing pollution were seized and 394 others were fined for the same in the last 15 days. Collector B. Lakshmikantham told DC: "We are trying to check air pollution through various means. Apart from cleaning the roads and afforestation campaign, we have proposed to the government to extend the Benz Circle flyover up to Nidamanuru to avoid traffic snarls as vehicles are causing more pollution during idling. The Chief Minister too agreed on this and we are waiting for the official nod.
