VIJAYAWADA: In a bid to reduce pollution levels and improve air quality, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has introduced six mist vehicles for use across the city, said special officer and NTR District Collector G Lakshmisha.
The vehicles were inspected at the municipal headquarters under the supervision of VMC commissioner HM Dhyanachandra.
Speaking on the occasion, Lakshmisha stated that the civic body is taking proactive steps to provide a healthier environment for residents by deploying mist vehicles to control dust and airborne pollutants. He said the vehicles would be operated daily at major junctions and high-traffic areas where pollution levels are higher.
The move comes in the backdrop of criticism faced by the VMC over its earlier practice of using high-pressure water guns to clean roads. The method drew objections from both the public and officials of the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, who termed it wasteful and uneven.
Adding to the concerns, R&B officials reportedly cautioned that repeated water spraying could damage bitumen (BT) roads. Prolonged exposure to water, they warned, may weaken road surfaces, leading to faster deterioration and increased maintenance costs. The department has instead suggested adopting mechanical sweeping technologies for routine road cleaning.
The VMC officials claimed that the newly introduced mist vehicles are a more efficient and environmentally suitable alternative to reduce pollution without causing damage to road infrastructure.
The inspection programme was attended by Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr K Arjuna Rao, Chief Engineer (In-charge) P Satya Kumari, Superintending Engineer (Works) V Chandrasekhar and others.