Delhi Lt. Governor orders installation of anti-smoke guns to tackle air pollution

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena asked authorities to install anti-smog guns on high-rise buildings above seven storeys and explore the possibility of placing them on foot over bridges.

In Short

• Delhi Lt Governor chairs meeting to review air pollution
• Highlights both long-term and immediate concerns
• Directed authorities not to wait for air quality levels to plummet

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Friday held a key meeting to assess the city's air pollution levels and preparedness for the upcoming winter season, which typically worsens air quality.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Chairman of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi's Chief Secretary, and the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

During the meeting, Saxena highlighted both long-term and short-term challenges in combating pollution, emphasising that despite temporary relief from a heavy monsoon, vehicular emissions and road dust remain major contributors to air pollution, specifically PM10 and PM2.5 levels.

He cited an IIT-Kanpur study showing that pollution from vehicular emissions rose from 39% to 47% between 2018 and 2022, while dust pollution decreased from 26% to 20%, likely due to reduced traffic during the COVID-19 lockdowns. However, Saxena warned that the situation could have worsened due to the poor condition of roads and unmanaged footpaths.

To address these concerns, Saxena called for an empirical study on pollution sources and directed immediate road repairs using eco-friendly materials.

He also tasked the Public Works Department (PWD) and MCD with initiating these measures promptly. The Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) was also asked to draft a comprehensive plan to tackle pollution in industrial areas, focusing on road repairs and waste management.

Saxena praised the introduction of electric buses but criticised the inefficiency of mostly empty Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, which contribute to road congestion and emissions. He urged optimising bus routes and schedules to reduce pollution.

In addition to long-term strategies, Saxena issued several short-term directives, including:

• Installing 180-degree rotating anti-smog guns on tall buildings and footbridges.
• Ensuring construction materials are properly covered and exempting non-polluting activities from restrictions.
• Enforcing the removal of construction and demolition waste before issuing completion certificates.
• Cracking down on open fires across the city.
• Implementing staggered office timings and remote work schemes to reduce traffic.
• Equipping mechanical road sweepers with water sprinklers to control dust.

Weekly progress reports on these measures are to be submitted to the LG Secretariat to ensure timely implementation and monitoring.