Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at tackling urban air pollution, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun installing pole-mounted dust collectors across key locations in the city under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The initiative is intended to reduce particulate matter in the air and improve ambient air quality for residents.
As part of the first phase, BMC has installed 20 dust collectors along major roads and busy intersections in the city’s north zone. According to municipal officials, the locations were identified based on air quality monitoring data collected from stations at Patia and near the Lingaraj Temple, where relatively higher pollution levels were recorded. Additional dust collectors are planned for the Old Town area in the next phase.
The dust collection units are designed to be mounted on existing streetlight poles and are capable of delivering up to 300,000 litres of purified air per hour. The system works by drawing polluted air into a treatment chamber through a suction mechanism. The air undergoes decompression and filtration before pollutants are separated, collected, and transferred into a dust container using an automated brush system. The process also helps neutralize unpleasant odours before releasing cleaner air back into the atmosphere.
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BMC officials stated that the machines require minimal maintenance and operate with low power consumption. They are compatible with conventional electricity as well as battery and solar-powered systems, making them suitable for long-term urban deployment.
Alongside the installation of dust collectors, the civic body is implementing additional dust mitigation measures under NCAP. These include laying concrete paver blocks along road shoulders to suppress roadside dust, installing green nets around construction sites to prevent airborne particulate emissions, and undertaking landscaping and beautification at dust-prone locations.
The integrated approach reflects Bhubaneswar’s efforts to adopt technology-driven solutions alongside urban planning interventions to improve environmental quality and create healthier public spaces.
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