The coal capital of India, one of the most polluted towns of the country, has finally started using truck mounted sprinklers that sends out atomized (tiny droplets) water up to a height of 50 meter to create an artificial mist which sticks with pollutants that ultimately settles to the ground.

Dhanbad Municipal Corporation (DMC) bought these vehicles at a total cost of Rs 50 lakh after the town was included in the Centre’s National Clean Air Programme under which pollution is to be curbed by 50 per cent in three years in 100 cities and towns of the country.

Assistant engineer cum transport department in-charge of Dhanbad Municipal Corporation Uday Kachhap said on Tuesday, “We received the two sprinklers on January 15 and started using them from the next day after training drivers. The vehicles are being used in the town on a pilot basis,” he said, adding that their services would be extended to other towns under DMC, including Jharia, Katras, Sindri and Chhatatand.

Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 10 crore in 2019 for Dhanbad Municipal Corporation to buy mechanical dust sweepers, water sprinklers and other gear. Of this, Rs 3 was provided to DMC in January last year.

DMC sanitary inspector Arjun Ram said, “We are operating sprinkler vehicles during morning hours when there is less rush of vehicles and commuters. Additionally, we are also operating all five mechanized dust sweepers purchased by DMC in 2019 on a regular basis.”

JSPCB member Rajiv Sharma, however, termed the DMC’s anti-pollution measures inadequate. He suggested the corporation adopt more proactive steps to control air pollution so that more funds could be provided by JSPCB for buying more equipment.

“Until and unless the utilisation certificate for Rs 3 core provided by JSPCB during the last year is not submitted by DMC more funds cannot be released,” said Sharma, who is also general secretary of Jharkhand Industries and Trade Association.