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THEME PAPER
construction. Several cities Decentralised and Air Quality Management
in India have become water Intelligent Services Air quality in Indian cities
stressed. Only 18% of the is deteriorating due to
renewable water resource is Surveys reveal that indiscriminate use of fossil
being recycled, while 10% of approximately 40% of fuels, coal-based energy plants
the annual rainfall is being urban population in India and vehicular and industrial
harvested in India. The issues is not covered by sewerage, emissions. According to the
of concern are increasing sanitation, drainage and surveys conducted by the
coliform levels and Bio- solid waste disposal. Various CPCB ambient air quality
chemical Oxygen demand alternative technologies based in more than 20 Indian
(BOD) in surface waters and on decentralized systems can cities have reached a very
increased concentration of be explored. The use of IT, critical situation. Relatively
nitrates in the groundwater. simulation, blockchain and high levels of suspended
To overcome these problems, automation can make the particulate matter (SPM),
water sources need to be services smart and intelligent. dust, SO , NO , CO and
2
2
2
protected by sanitation/ The common method of land heavy metals, including lead
sewerage interception, and filling for solid waste disposal content in the exhaust of
recycling and treatment of is an environmental disaster. automobiles and scooters,
wastewater. Swales, porous Instead, decentralized have been observed. The
paving, floating sub-strata in systems based on 5 R strategy recent initiatives like electric
wastewater ponds, coupled of waste management may and hydrogen powered
bacterial micro- algae, biofilm, be considered for solid and vehicles, adoption of clean
bio-drainage and storm liquid waste management. technologies, new emission
surge gates in river, drains Underground pneumatic norms, development of
and canals and zero run off conveying systems can be shared taxis, NMTs and mass
drainage, conserve water more hygienic, economical rapid transport systems can
and save human settlements and avoid movement of reduce the pollution levels
from floods. Water resources trucks for transportation due to vehicular emissions.
can be augmented through of wastes. Common utility Airshed planning, continuous
recharging of groundwater ducts or tunnels carrying ventilation, use of cooler
and by rainwater harvesting electricity, water, sewerage, and light shaded surfaces/
(not only in building, but also wastes, cables and broadband materials and water spray are
on roads, parks and parking internet minimize damage some other methods to reduce
areas), besides conservation from traffic, road repairs, air pollution.
of rivers and water bodies, rains, etc. A series of low
water efficient taps/fittings, carbon zones across the city Air quality data is significant
dual plumbing, curbing Non- with co-located tri-generation to gaining a thorough
Revenue Water and recycling energy systems (combining understanding of local
of wastewater. Blockchain power, cooling and heating), air pollution. Recent
and SCADA systems can help and automated, segregated technological advancements
in a more efficient 24x7 water have made it possible to
supply of potable quality. The waste collection and recycling gather data, with low-cost
can lead to bundling ‘green
LiFE movement can help the monitoring devices and
citizen in a discernible impact infrastructure’ together. These advanced methods of collating
on water conservation and areas can be one of the central and analysing it. Smart
recycling. areas of LiFE movement. electricity poles with sensors
32 HUDCO-HSMI Publication