Smog tower’s current efficiency ‘half’ of Delhi Government claim
The Hindu
Authorities say if needed they will enhance the entire system to achieve set goals
On October 1 this year, the Delhi Government said that a smog tower can clean up to 80% of polluted air, citing a preliminary report. However, two months later, the percentage of pollution being reduced is only 34%-43%, according to six readings between November 30 and December 1 accessed by The Hindu.
The smog tower at Connaught Place, a pilot project installed at a cost of ₹20 crore, was inaugurated on August 23 by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had said similar towers will be built in other parts of the city if the results are satisfactory.
A few weeks later, Environment Minister Gopal Rai’s office released a statement that read: “The preliminary report of the smog tower installed by the Kejriwal Government was released today (October 1). The report has revealed that the smog tower is cleaning up to 80% of the air.”
More than 2.6 lakh village and ward volunteers in Andhra Pradesh, once celebrated as the government’s grassroots champions for their crucial role in implementing welfare schemes, are now in a dilemma after learning that their tenure has not been renewed after August 2023 even though they have been paid honoraria till June 2024. Disowned by both YSRCP, which was in power when they were appointed, and the current ruling TDP, which made a poll promise to double their pay, these former volunteers are ruing the day they signed up for the role which they don’t know if even still exists