Anti-smog guns, cloud seeding, decongesting roads: Delhi govt stepping up effort to fight air pollution, SC told

Strict checks for Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) at petrol pumps, push for retrofitting of old vehicles with components that reduce emissions, promotion of electric buses and EVs for last mile connectivity are among the other measures mentioned in the petition. Of the total 6,638 buses, the city has 3,021 cluster buses — 2,283 are fuelled by CNG and 738 are electric buses. Of the total 3,617 DTC buses, 1,407 are CNG buses and 2,210 are electric buses, the government underlined.

The Delhi government has issued directions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, on the mandatory installation of anti-smog guns on highrises, including all commercial, government and educational institutions, remote monitoring of construction and demolition (C&D) work sites through web portals and 100% processing of C&D demolitions, the court was told. “…6,000 TPD (tonnes per day) of C&D is generated in Delhi. Presently, four C&D waste processing capacity of plants (5,150 TPD) are operational and one C&D waste processing facility at Tehkhand (1,000 TPD) will be operational by December 2026,” reads the petition.

The government has also mentioned its plan to deploy 84 mechanical road sweepers, 218 water sprinklers, and 109 anti-smog guns (52 mobile and 57 static) in shifts for road dust control with special emphasis on 13 identified hotspots. Additionally, 250 water sprinkler machines integrated with anti-smog guns and 70 MRS machines, integrated with 210 water sprinklers, and anti-smog guns; 18 dump vehicles and 18 water tankers will be deployed to curb air pollution by the Public Works Department (PWD), it said.

To fill the gap in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and capacity and also to meet the future requirement considering the increase in population, MCD has proposed MSW processing facilities in Delhi with a total additional capacity of 7,750 TPD by 2028, the government underlined. It has also directed the industrial units to use PNG, said to reduce energy waste, and is also taking measures to control stubble burning.

The government has also constituted district-wise cross-functional teams, tasked with checking the on-ground enforcement of measures being taken for controlling air pollution, under the Co-Chairmanship of District Magistrates (Revenue), Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and Deputy Commissioners of MCD. Moreover, to declutter the roads of the national capital, the government has laid an ambitious and detailed plan in partnership with the Centre, the court was told. This includes planning of several elevated corridors and underpasses at key traffic junctions like ITO intersection, Deshbandhu Gupta Road, Chhatarpur intersection, Shivaji Marg, flyover at NSG junction near IGI airport and elevated corridor over inner Ring Road.

Apart from these, some projects have also been undertaken by NHAI on the outer roads of Delhi to divert vehicles entering from other states.

“It is our responsibility to support the people and their opinions. The previous government did not work on the environment and let the people suffocate and die that the court and NGT had to bring such a rule… We are working to provide a better atmosphere for Delhi through all possible efforts. Therefore, we want the court to take cognizance of this, and just as there are rules for everyone in the entire country, similar rules should be applicable in Delhi,” CM Rekha Gupta said at an event.

“Even if a vehicle is only five years old and polluting, the rules should apply to it. However, if a vehicle is fit and does not pollute, it should be allowed to operate. The government has presented its case to the court, and I believe that the respected court will take note of this and give the people of Delhi their right,” she said.