New Delhi, 24 December 2025: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has stated that her government is taking both immediate and long-term measures to effectively control pollution in the national capital, aiming to permanently reduce environmental hazards. According to the Chief Minister, surplus drivers from the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) are being deployed to manage traffic and conduct Pollution Under Control (PUC) checks at petrol pumps. Additionally, the government has decided to replace heavy anti-smog guns on buildings with mist spray systems to improve air quality. The government is also expanding its air quality monitoring network through additional monitoring centers across the city.
CM Gupta said that she, along with her cabinet ministers and various departments, is continuously working to curb pollution in Delhi. Field operations are ongoing, and special meetings are being held to identify and implement effective control measures. She highlighted that PUC checks are being intensified, polluting industrial units are being shut down, public transportation systems are being optimized, and dust control measures are being strengthened. She also noted that incidents of open burning of coal and wood have been effectively controlled by the administration.
Hundreds of DTC Drivers Deployed for Traffic Management
According to the Chief Minister, vehicular emissions remain one of the major contributors to pollution in Delhi. Research by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and other government and academic sources indicates that reducing vehicular emissions can significantly lower pollution levels. CM Gupta stated that along with penalizing polluting vehicles, the government is taking steps to ease traffic congestion. As part of this initiative, 600 surplus DTC drivers have been temporarily deployed to assist traffic police in managing road traffic and alleviating congestion.
In addition, 3,000 drivers are conducting PUC checks in three shifts at 500 petrol pumps across the city, preventing polluting vehicles from refueling. CM Gupta added that due to the vigilance of this staff, licenses of 27 petrol pumps found negligent in PUC testing have been suspended.
Transition from Anti-Smog Guns to Mist Spray Systems on High-Rise Buildings
CM Gupta highlighted that anti-smog guns installed on high-rise buildings have proven cumbersome and not highly effective in controlling pollution. These guns are heavy, direct water in only one direction, and consume large quantities of water. Currently, 148 anti-smog guns operate in major commercial complexes, malls, hotels, and office buildings (G+5 and above) in Delhi.
The government has now decided to permit the installation of mist spray systems on high-rise buildings instead of anti-smog guns. These systems are lightweight, spray water in multiple directions, can be installed in larger numbers, and consume less water. The CM emphasized that the new system is also environmentally friendly and beneficial for surrounding vegetation. Several areas in the capital are already seeing the effective operation of mist spray systems.
Expansion of Air Quality Monitoring Network
As part of long-term measures, the Delhi government is also increasing the number of air quality monitoring stations across the city to enable evidence-based pollution control initiatives. Currently, 40 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) are operational in Delhi, including 24 under DPCC, seven under IITM, six under CPCB, and one under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Following the directives of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), six new monitoring stations will be established at key locations, including IGNOU, JNU, ISRO Earth Centre, Commonwealth Sports Centre, and NSUT (West Campus).
Through these measures, the Delhi government aims to strengthen its pollution management framework, ensure better enforcement of environmental norms, and provide citizens with cleaner and healthier air. CM Gupta reiterated that continuous monitoring, effective field operations, and modern technologies are central to achieving long-term improvement in the city’s air quality.
