The Union Minister of Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey inaugurated the Air Pollution Control Tower (APCT) prototype developed by state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) in Noida on November 17. The tower is set up between the DND flyway and the slip road to Noida Expressway, The indigenously developed APCT would help mitigate the rising air pollution problem in the city. The tower sucks in polluted air through its base and clean air is released from the top of the tower. The tower has a system to clean PM 2.5 filter periodically. Air pollution during the winter months every year has led the Noida Authority to set up the tower. Its coverage is 1 sq km (247 acres). Areas that will benefit are Sectors 16, 16A, 17, 17A and 18 as well as DND and Noida-Greater Noida expressways.