Launched amid fanfare, aerial spraying of disinfectants in Bengaluru, now on hold

Confirming that the pilot had been called off, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike chief commissioner Gaurav Gupta said that several environmental and health concerns could arise.

The pilot project of aerial spraying of disinfectants, to be taken up in two different parts of the city on Monday, was launched amidst much fanfare. However, the project has now been put on hold after environmental and health concerns were raised. On Saturday, Minister for Revenue R. Ashok announced the aerial spraying project by Aerialworks Aero LLP as a means to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Over three days, the aerial spraying of organic disinfectant was to be taken up in Shivajinagar and K.R. Market areas that are thickly populated and congested. After the launch, he said the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board would study the efficacy of the initiative. He also said that the government was not paying for the project, which if successful, would be extended to other parts of the city. Confirming that the pilot had been called off, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) chief commissioner Gaurav Gupta told The Hindu that several environmental and health concerns could arise. “We need to thoroughly study the negative ramifications of such spraying before going ahead with the project. The company approached us seeking permission for an experimental flight, which was allowed. However, after consultations with various stakeholders, a decision was taken to put the project on hold until all the public health and environmental issues are studied,” he said.