NEW DELHI: The Delhi government is taking proactive steps to combat air pollution in the capital by implementing targeted interventions. These measures include enforcing strict dust control at construction sites, regularly cleaning trees, and utilizing mechanized sweepers to clean inner roads and narrow lanes.
A recent meeting between Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and representatives from esteemed institutions like IIT-Delhi, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and Clean Air Collective was held at the Delhi Secretariat. The discussions emphasized the importance of sustainable urban mobility, controlling construction dust, and implementing data-driven air quality interventions.
Experts highlighted the urgency of accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in public transportation and phasing out old, polluting vehicles from the city’s roads. They also proposed expanding the Delhi Metro network to ensure convenient access to metro stations within 400 meters of every citizen’s residence. This move aims to enhance public transport infrastructure and reduce reliance on private vehicles, ultimately reducing air pollution levels.
Furthermore, experts recommended prioritizing EVs in new vehicle registrations and taking strict measures against aging vehicles that significantly contribute to air pollution in the city. By rigorously implementing these strategies, significant improvements in Delhi’s air quality can be achieved.
Chaired a pivotal roundtable meeting at Delhi Secretariat to strategize on mitigating Delhi’s air pollution, in line with Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji’s vision of Viksit Delhi and under the dynamic leadership of CM @gupta_rekha ji.
— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) April 5, 2025
Representatives from Centre for Science and… pic.twitter.com/dU85kLxMyi
At a micro-level, experts suggested implementing measures such as stringent dust control at construction sites, regular tree cleaning to prevent dust resuspension, and deploying small mechanized road sweepers for cleaning inner roads and narrow lanes. These targeted interventions aim to address pollution sources at a local level and contribute to overall air quality improvement in Delhi.
Sirsa announced that numerous suggestions discussed are already integrated into the future plans of the Delhi Government, with implementation set to commence shortly. He stressed the importance of safeguarding children from the harmful effects of air pollution during peak pollution periods and proposed adjustments to the school calendar to address this issue.
The conversation brought to light the significant contribution of construction dust to nearly 30 percent of particulate pollution in Delhi. The minister mentioned that the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) is actively engaged in reducing this through a dedicated online platform.
Experts emphasized the necessity of data-driven assessment of dust control strategies and advocated for a comprehensive revision of the city’s parking policy to tackle urban congestion and pollution. To enhance pollution monitoring, the installation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems at Delhi’s entry points was suggested to prevent the entry of unfit and polluting vehicles.
Additional recommendations included improving coordination among agencies, upgrading air quality monitoring systems with advanced technology, and enhancing the capabilities of municipal departments to effectively address air pollution challenges.
Sirsa expressed the government’s commitment to combat pollution for the well-being of children, labeling it a moral obligation rather than just an environmental concern. He assured that many of the suggestions discussed are already part of the government’s action plan, with others under active consideration.
The minister emphasized the use of science, technology, policy, innovation, and public involvement in the battle against pollution, highlighting the importance of every small step. He pledged to collaborate with scientific institutions, civil society, and citizens to develop sector-specific action plans with real-time monitoring systems as part of the “Viksit Delhi” (Developed Delhi) vision.
