Construction work and vehicular movement, both contributors to air pollution, have resulted in a rise in respiratory ailments. To mitigate the problem, which becomes all the more acute in winter, the Horticulture Department is all set to install an air purifier or ‘fine dust eater’ on a trial basis for six months at Cubbon Park.
The air purifier will be installed near the Chamarajendra Wadiyar statue on Thursday, where pulmonologists will speak about the respiratory problems caused by fine particulate matter and dust particles.
According to Mahantesh Murgod, deputy director of Cubbon Park, the 1.5-tonne machine is by a German company, which has agreed to install it free of cost for the trial. “It will be monitored for six months. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board will be asked to conduct a scientific study at the end of the trial period to ascertain the efficacy of the machine. If it is found to be feasible, the government will take a call on installing more such machines in the city,” he said.
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The company will also be providing a machine fitted on the back of a vehicle for a week, to move around the park eating dust.