To improve the quality of air and tackle vehicular pollution, 500 outdoor air purifying devices will be installed at traffic-heavy junctions across the city. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has signed a memorandum of understanding with software firm aTechTron, which will install and maintain the devices.

The installation is expected to begin in the second week of September. In the first phase, over a three-month period, around 100 air purifiers will be installed, said officials. The entire project is slated to be completed within the next year and half. At traffic-heavy junctions such as Silk Board, Marathahalli and Bellandur, more than one device will be installed.

The devices have patented technology which filters, among other pollutants, matter (PM10 and PM2.5), dust, smog and petroleum fumes. The device has the capacity of ‘cleaning’ the air in a radius of 60-80 feet.

In February, an air purifying machine was installed at Hudson Circle on a pilot basis. The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority has also given the No-Objection Certificate for the project. Rajeev Krishna, founder of aTechTron, said: “The air purifier that was installed at Hudson Circle gathered around 650 grams of dust — fine dust mixed with heavy metals — daily. During summer, the amount of dust went up to 850 grams.”

This initiative will not cost the BBMP anything. Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun said though the civic body had reserved ₹5 crore for installing air purifiers, the money will now be diverted to other initiatives. “As we are getting CSR funding for the initiative, we will sponsor the project if needed. Otherwise, we will use the money for other purposes,” she said.

She also stressed the need for agencies, including the police, to work together to combat air pollution.