The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) plans to set up 42 new air purifiers in parts of Old Gurugram as early as possible, which witness high pollution levels because of heavy vehicular movement and dust. The decision came in a proposal to curb air pollution levels in the region, as per the GMDA authorities. Air purifiers assist in decreasing pollution levels in surrounding regions, and 71 such purifiers have been set up in different parts of the city, especially in new sectors, they added. On Thursday, Subash Yadav, additional chief executive officer (CEO), GMDA, told the media that they plan to set up these purifiers in areas like New Railway road, Old Railway Road, Rezangla Chowk, Palam Vihar to railway station road, Sheetla Mata Road and Old Delhi-Gurgaon road under phase II of the project ‘Air Care’. They have established 71 purifiers in different areas of the city, but most of these were in newer sectors across the highway. They will now set up these purifiers across Old Gurugram to control the air pollution levels. He additionally said that these air purifiers are being set up in collaboration with the Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA), a Delhi-based NGO which is taking care of the establishment and maintenance of the same. IPCA, which carried out a study on particulate matter concentrations near 53 outdoor air purifiers set up by the GMDA, said that the devices decreased dust pollution by 35-50% in its immediate vicinity, which is around 500 sq m. Radha Goel, deputy director of IPCA, told the media that these purifiers are fitted with exhaust fans and work on filtration technology. IPCA will run and maintain these purifiers for the coming three years, Goel said. Air quality experts told the media that the smog towers or outdoor air purifiers -- like the ones established -- might not be useful in open areas as there are no obstacles (psychometric or physical) to manage the direction of clean air. Image Source Also read: Air Pollution Control Tower prototype made by BHEL launched in Noida