Delhi CM launches pole-mounted mist spray system at ITO for pollution control

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday launched a pole-mounted mist spray system for dust and pollution control in the ITO area in the central parts of the Capital, an official said.

She said that at ITO, nearly 35 poles have been equipped with mist sprayers.

“The government is preparing to install mist sprayers on 305 poles at nine hotspots where pollution is a very serious problem,” said CM Gupta, referring to the constitution of a panel to tackle the city’s pollution.

Each pole has five nozzles, and each nozzle has six tiny holes, enabling 30 spray points per pole. Every pole uses approximately 84 litres of treated water per hour, supported by four 5,000-litre storage tanks. A similar setup has been installed along a 900-metre stretch on Shanti Path and a 500-metre stretch on Lodhi Road.

She said, “This is a battle against pollution, and we need public support to boost the government’s efforts. The government is ready to provide solutions to any pollution-causing factor.”

“After using water sprinklers, we are considering mist technology, which is proving to be a very effective solution. We initially implemented it in some areas under NDMC, and the results were positive. Now, the Delhi government is planning to expand it to all major roads in the city,” she said.

On Wednesday, CM Gupta held a review meeting and said that any negligence in pollution control in the national capital will not be tolerated. She stated that her government is treating pollution as an emergency mission and is making determined efforts to bring it under control.

The Chief Minister made it clear that government institutions showing laxity in pollution control will not be spared. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has been instructed to issue challans and impose heavy penalties on agencies failing to maintain pollution and cleanliness standards. She has also ordered FIRs against departments conducting unauthorised road-cutting and failing to restore roads properly.

A high-level review meeting on pollution control was held at the Delhi Secretariat under the Chief Minister’s chairmanship. Ongoing measures against air pollution were reviewed, and all departments were directed to work on a war footing in the coming days.

The meeting was attended by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma, and senior officials from PWD, MCD, DDA, Environment and Forest, DSIIDC, Delhi Metro, NBCC, Power, and DUSIB.

The Chief Minister emphasised that while the long-term fight against pollution will continue, immediate measures must be intensified urgently.

All departments have been directed to identify and fill potholes within 72 hours. Road-maintenance agencies have been instructed to ensure that no road remains broken. The Chief Minister expressed strong displeasure over certain departments showing irresponsibility and directed DPCC to issue challans against negligent government bodies.

She further said that FIRs must be filed against departments conducting road-cutting without permission, and departmental heads will be held accountable. She reiterated that no agency, whether government or private, will be spared.

The Chief Minister stressed that pollution must be tackled with the joint participation of the government, departments, and the public.

The PWD has been directed to repair potholes across its 1,400-kilometre road network on a priority basis and upload before-and-after photographs on the designated app.

DDA has been asked to ensure proper cleanliness on its roads, remove waste from vacant land, and hand over its markets to MCD without delay.

The Delhi Metro has been instructed to immediately repair roads beneath its elevated corridors and implement effective dust-control measures. The Chief Minister said that no delay will be accepted and that clean, green, and dust-free roads are the most crucial component of the city’s anti-pollution efforts.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the “311 Green App” is being strengthened as the nodal platform for monitoring potholes, brown areas, and dust hotspots through the Green War Room. A comprehensive six-month action plan is being prepared to implement dust-free and green measures in identified brown areas.

He added that strict action will be taken against vehicles below BS-IV standards. To improve last-mile connectivity and encourage Metro use, e-autos will be prioritised. He said that mist-spray dust mitigation has shown promising results and will now be expanded citywide.

IANS