The Hindu Business Line : Paving the way for dust-free Ahmedabad

A UNIQUE project being envisaged by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), in association with a non-government organisation, has set its eyes on turning the most polluted city in the country into a `minimum dust zone.'

The AMC has roped in the services of the National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) to pave some 40-lakh sq m of road shoulders of Ahmedabad with pre-cast cement concrete blocks at an estimated cost of Rs 105 crore. The two entities have signed an MoU to implement Endure (ENsuring DUst REduction), the first such instance of an NGO participation in a project of this scale.

A recent survey had spelt out that 42 per cent of the city's air pollution was due to dust generated from the unpaved side shoulders of its roads. "It was in January 2004 that the NCCL had submitted a detailed project report to AMC to solve this problem of the city through Project Endure. The AMC approved the proposal during mid-May leading to the signing of the MoU last week," said Mr V.K. Saxena, President, NCCL.

The work includes digging of six-inch soil from the road level, watering, laying of two-inch layer of sand, fixing of 65-mm thick pre-cast cement concrete blocks in an interlocking manner. Since no cement will be used in fixing the pre-cast blocks, this eco-friendly scheme will allow rainwater to seep through the blocks and recharge the aquifer.

The NCCL has already approached 50-odd private and public sector organisations, banks, educational institutes and corporate houses, as also small and medium industries to sponsor large areas to mitigate the dust hazard. As per the agreement with the AMC, all sponsors would be allowed to put up two signboards for every 300-metre-long stretch of the road for a period of two years without any municipal levy.

As per the MoU, NCCL would raise Rs 78.75 crore through public participation, sponsorships and donations, while the AMC would account for Rs 26.25 crore.

With children and patients being the most susceptible to dust pollution, the NCCL has decided to launch the project with roads in front of educational institutions and hospitals in the city.

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