For the past few days, the air quality index, or AQI, has been consistently hovering around 400 in the NCR. There is public outcry, even outrageat the deteriorating air quality. With the issue turning severe, 150 delegates from across Gurgaon — including NGOs, environmentalists, doctors, RWA officials, urban body officials, officials from Haryana Pollution Control Board and town planners — came together to combat pollution at a workshop organised by Gurgaon First, a social organisation that strives for sustainability, good governance, women's safety and empowerment.
The workshop addressed the multiple reasons causing air pollution and elaborated on the preventive steps to be taken at individual, community and city levels. Gurgaon breaking news
“It was a beneficial and insightful workshop, as experts had enlightened us on the subject of real-time air pollution data. Given the magnitude of the pollution crisis in the NCR, it is vital for even the common man to be conversant with the meaning and implications of these scientific terms. Only then can the right precautions be taken,” said a participant.
There were informative sessions by doctors from leading hospitals on how haze and dust particles in the air could trigger asthma, allergies and other complicated respiratory issues. Apartment management system
Ironically, MCG representation at the workshop was poor. Only Sudhir Chauhan, nodal officer of MCG, was present. In his words, “We are sprinkling water on the roads and mechanically sweeping them to contain pollution. We have also invested in importing suction machines.”
The key speakers at the workshop were Dr Manas Fuloria, CEO, Nagarro; Anumita Roychowdhary, executive director, Centre for Science and Environment; Amit Bhat, director, WRI India; Rajiv Banga, MD & CEO, IL&FS Rail Ltd (Rapid Metro); Lt Col Prakash Tewari, executive director (CSR), DLF Ltd; Chetan Agarwal, environmental analyst; Dr Vivek Nangia, pulmonary specialist, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram; Neela Kaushik, founder, Gurgaon Moms; and Sudhir Singh Chauhan, senior town planner, MCG.
