In a significant move to tackle the capital's persistent air quality crisis, the Delhi government has unveiled an extensive plan to deploy mist spray technology across the city. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the strategy on Thursday after inspecting initial installations.
Mist Sprayers to Cover Key Hotspots
The government is actively working to install 305 mist sprayers at nine identified pollution hotspots in Delhi. Gupta inspected the setup at ITO, where 35 poles have already been fitted with the sprayers, noting they are showing promising results. "We are preparing an extensive plan to cover all the roads in Delhi with mist spray machines," the Chief Minister told reporters.
This technology, which uses fine water sprays to suppress dust particles—a major pollutant—has undergone trials in some New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) areas. The government asserts that these trials have yielded positive outcomes, positioning mist technology as an effective tool in the fight against pollution.
High-Level Expert Committee Formed
To bolster its efforts, the administration is constituting a high-level committee of experts. Announced on Wednesday, this panel will be granted special powers and will include senior officials from various government departments alongside specialists from IITs and environmental sciences. The committee's mandate is to advise the government on comprehensive pollution remedies.
Gupta emphasized a multi-departmental approach, instructing agencies including the PWD, DSIIDC, and DDA to accelerate work on several fronts. The directives include:
- Filling potholes and carpeting roads.
- Planting foliage on road dividers and islands.
- Undertaking other necessary steps to curb pollution sources.
The Chief Minister also urged citizens to report potholes via the official Delhi government portal, highlighting public participation in infrastructure maintenance.
Community Action Against Winter Pollution
Looking ahead to the winter season, when air quality typically deteriorates further, Gupta called for community-level initiatives. She suggested that Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) could help prevent biomass burning—a common source of winter pollution—by distributing electric heaters to security guards in residential areas.
This comprehensive plan, combining technological intervention, expert guidance, infrastructural repair, and community engagement, marks Delhi's latest attempt to address its chronic and severe air pollution problem. The success of the mist sprayers at scale and the recommendations of the new expert committee will be closely watched.
