Install water sprinklers and smog guns: Govt to depts

New Delhi: Delhi govt has issued a directive to all the departments concerned to install mist or water sprinklers on electric poles, and anti-smog guns along central verges and road stretches across identified pollution hotspots in the city.
Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that DDA and NDMC had piloted the use of such pollution control measures, and replicating these on a large scale would help control particulate pollutants, especially during winters. Govt has specified the use of micro or mist-type jets with a droplet size of 50–100 microns and operating pressure between 0.45 and 0.65 units.

"The electric poles installed in the central verge of road stretches could offer structurally suitable and spatially distributed locations for the installation of such mist spraying systems without requiring additional roadside infrastructure. The measure is aimed at controlling road dust, a major contributor to PM2.5 and PM10 levels in Delhi's air," Sirsa said.
"Delhi's fight against air pollution demands not just planning but also daily execution. We are deploying both science and accountability. With the right equipment and real enforcement, we aim to contain particulate matter emissions at the source," the minister added.
There are 13 identified air pollution hotspots across Delhi. "In view of the deteriorating air quality levels and high levels of particulate matter in the ambient air in Delhi, there is an urgent need to take innovative control measures," the order stated.
The departments have been asked to submit a time-bound action plan within 15 days for the installation of such sprays or similar systems on electric poles in other locations apart from the hotspots as well. "The mist spray system/similar system/technology agnostic spraying system is to be operated throughout the year except during the monsoon season (from June 15 to Oct 1)," stated the order.