As the city’s air quality index (AQI) continues to hover in the ‘moderate’ category with no permanent solution in sight, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has turned its focus toward immediate symptomatic relief. In a move that mirrors treating the symptoms rather than the root cause, the civic body has announced the installation of mist sprinklers across major intersections to provide respite from both heat and dust. For commuters forced to wait at traffic signals during the scorching summer months, the BMC is preparing a cooling shield. Under this new initiative, high-pressure misting systems will be installed at busy crossroads to spray a fine vapour of water on two-wheeler riders and pedestrians. This technology is expected to lower the ambient temperature by 5 to 7 degrees Celsius, providing significant relief during heatwaves. Beyond thermal comfort, the project serves as a strategic tool against urban air pollution.

 

The microscopic water droplets (Mist) are designed to bind with airborne pollutants like PM10 and PM2.5. By increasing the weight of these fine dust particles, the system forces them to settle on the ground, thereby improving the immediate air quality at busy junctions and providing relief to citizens suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma. The project is structured into three strategic phases to ensure comprehensive city-wide coverage. In the first phase, implementation will begin at 10 high-traffic and highly polluted hotspot crossings, where equipment will be installed on traffic signals, central verges, and electric poles. Following this, the second phase will involve expansion to 24 additional major roads and high-density public spaces based on initial feedback. In the final third phase, the BMC aims for the complete integration of the city’s main arterial roads and commercial districts into the Smart Cooling Network. “This initiative has been taken in view of the heat wave and rising air pollution. The mist sprinklers will provide relief from the heat and also contribute to improving air quality.” - Pramod Malviya, Officer-in-Charge, SBM, Bhopal Municipal Corporation.