Noida to install city’s first ‘green wall’ for better air

Noida: To reduce air pollution in the city, the Noida Authority has decided to install ‘green walls’ lined with trees and bushes on major commuter routes. As a pilot project, the first such green wall will be installed at the entrance of the multi-level parking in Sector 18 on Saturday to kick-start a mega 1.7 lakh plantation drive across Noida, officials said on Friday.
Essentially, green walls are based on hydroponic technology, that is growing plants in mineral nutrient-rich solutions without soil or compost. These are different from vertical gardens which entail hanging plants in pots on vertical pillars.

According to officials, the first green wall will cover approximately 180 sq ft area, containing about 900 plants of 12 different varieties, including Syngonium, dwarf/green/red Ladyanthra, Ipomea, Chandani, Arelia, Roheo, Ribbon Grass and Philondendron.

“The speciality of these green walls is that they use 90% less water and fuels three times faster and better growth of plants. Also, the mortality rate of plants is 90% less than regular vertical systems thus, making them cost effective too. These are quite lightweight and can be adapted on vertical structures,” Rajeev Tyagi general manager of Noida Authority, told TOI.