Jaipur Gets Outdoor Air Purifiers On Roads To Battle Air Pollution
Air pollution and health issues caused by deteriorating air quality are major concerns in many Indian states. Over the years, we have seen state and central governments implementing diverse measures to improve air quality. From imposing bans on old diesel vehicles, to making a complete transition to cleaner fuels and implementing frameworks to reduce industrial pollution, a lot is already underway. One such move from Rajasthan’s Jaipur has now sparked meme fests online. The city has been installing several large, oddly-shaped outdoor air purifiers across the streets. A video of these went viral online, triggering a slew of funny comments and memes. Netizens find it funny and doubt if these actually yield results...
The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 177-190, this winter. This is indeed a noticeable spike, indicating a steep rise in pollution levels. More importantly, this put Jaipur in the ‘Moderate’ category.
Following the same, four PAMARES-type (Particulate Matter Reduction System) outdoor air purifiers have been set up at various locations in Jaipur. You’ll find these near the Jawahar Circle, Tonk Road, and in walled-city bazaar. Authorities confirmed that the move is aimed at bringing immediate relief as pollution increases in densely populated areas.
These ‘purification towers’ are located in high-traffic zones and span around eight metres in length. If claims can be believed, each of these purifiers can filter up to one million cubic metres of air per hour! It can capture PM2.5, PM10, VOCs and NO2. Various tech including HEPA, actiavated carbon and UV-C are used for these. Each unit is solar-powered and reportedly costs approximately Rs 25 lakh.
The installation reportedly began on November 12th, and authorities aim to make all units fully operational by 15th of this month.
The project was originally announced by Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma after the AQI in Jaipur shot up to 306 after Diwali! More units are expected to be installed in the coming months, and the total count could cross 20 by March next year.
The video shared on X (previously Twitter) shows the unit installed on Rambagh Street. It shows the purification tower in close detail. Yes, it looks odd and has long, slim vertical slats/ blades. The internet soon started talking about this.
Many questioned the necessity and efficiency of this system, while some made fun of its odd appearance. Some even suggested shifting to growing trees than having these machines on duty.
The video also kick-started a meme fest online. Many showed up with witty memes and funny one-liners mocking the air purification initiative. Someone called it a ‘useless idea’ while another said ‘t’s a stupidest idea in the history of stupid ideas!’’What a waste of time, money, and brain cells’- wrote another. Netizens also pointed out that a single purifier in a large open area will only have a limited impact.
Outdoor air purification systems such as these, work by sucking polluted air and passing it through a series of filters (like PM2.5, PM10 etc mentioned above) to remove particulate pollutants. Some of them even use UV rays or ionization to kill microorganisms. Removal of odours and gases is done with the help of activated carbon.
Many cities with poor air quality already rely on these systems. Many European countries and South Korea have already put these to good use. In the near future, we will see more Indian cities getting these as well. If enough number of purifying towers are set up, it can improve the air quality of a place. These require proper periodic maintenance to remain operational and efficient. This is something that the authorities will have to ensure...