The air quality in Northern India (especially Delhi NCR) has deteriorated to a great extent. The thick blanket of toxic smog has prompted the government to issue a health advisory for residents and also implement the odd-even rule for private vehicles in the capital. Not just people, the rising pollution is also affecting the iconic marble monument, Taj Mahal.
Which is why the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), district administration, Agra Nagar Nigam and Vodafone-Idea (CSR initiative) have come together to bring a mobile air purifier van to the mausoleum.
The Economic Times reports that the van can purify 15 lakh cubic metre air in eight hours within a 300-metre radius. Apart from the damage to the white marble, authorities have also been concerned about the tourists that visit the monument. Hence, two purifying machines have been installed at the gates.
Business Standard quoted Executive Engineer of Agra Municipal Corporation RK Rathi saying,
“An agency has been directed to do mechanized cleaning as well as deploy two air purifying machines at the gates of the Taj Mahal. We are taking these measures to combat air pollution and provide relief to the large number of tourists who visit here every day”.
We hope that the government’s measures yield results soon and the situation improves in the near future.