The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has launched an intensive drive to tackle rising air pollution levels, deploying its manpower and machinery round-the-clock to improve the city’s air quality.
NDMC has rolled out multiple measures focused on dust suppression, smog reduction, greening, and citizen participation, an statement from the Office of the Vice Chairperson said on Tuesday. Four mechanical road sweeping machines are cleaning around 220 km of roads daily, with additional CNG and battery-operated sweepers being procured to expand coverage, Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal said, addressing a press conference.
Chahal said the NDMC was operating on a “war footing” to suppress dust, control smog, and increase greening efforts while appealing for public participation. One of NDMC’s primary measures involves mechanical road sweeping.
Four machines currently clean about 220–230 km of avenue roads daily in two shifts. To expand coverage, the council is procuring five new CNG-operated sweepers, four battery-operated machines for smaller lanes, and four ride-on sweepers for footpaths and parking areas. Chahal said dust suppression remains central to NDMC’s strategy, as road dust contributes significantly to particulate pollution in central Delhi.
To tackle airborne particles, eight mobile anti-smog guns (ASGs) are being deployed daily, covering over 320 km of roads. In addition, ten ASGs have been installed on private high-rise buildings and three on NDMC-owned properties. Procurement for seven more guns is underway, with tenders already invited. “These guns help in bringing down suspended dust particles, especially around high-traffic corridors,” said Chahal.
A new feature of NDMC’s air-quality plan is the installation of mist spray systems on electric poles. These sprays, fixed at heights of 5–6 metres, disperse fine water mist to reduce localised dust pollution; so far 15 mist units have been set up along Lodhi Road. NDMC has identified 1,323 poles covering 29.5 km of roads for further installation.
Work has started on Shanti Path and Africa Avenue, and the plan will be executed in two phases, covering 10 major roads in the first phase and 14 more in the second. To keep busy commercial zones dust-free, NDMC has started nighttime cleaning operations using pressure jet machines and litter pickers in Connaught Place, Khan Market, and Sarojini Nagar.
“There are 22 markets in our area. We aim to extend night footpath cleaning to all of them within a year,” said Chahal. NDMC plans to procure 10 water sprinklers, five additional jetting machines, nine litter pickers, and 10 floor cleaners.
NDMC has also deployed nine water tankers equipped with pressure jet pumps for tree washing to remove dust from foliage. Each tanker can cover about 5 km per trip, using a fine water mist that reduces consumption while increasing efficiency. The department is also installing high-pressure jetting systems on 12 more tankers.
Greening is another key focus. Under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, 2,320 trees have been planted this year with participation from schools, residents’ welfare associations, and market groups.
NDMC has covered 24 major roads and several brown patches with new plantation drives.
