Delhi boosts construction waste processing by 1,000 tonnes daily—can pollution finally ease?

Delhi's government has intensified efforts to combat air pollution by boosting construction and demolition waste processing by an additional 1,000 tonnes daily, a key component of its newly unveiled 25-point Air Pollution Mitigation Plan-2025.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described the plan as "the most scientific, comprehensive and actionable plan that the city has seen so far" during its release at the Delhi Secretariat.

The plan targets seven major pollution sources: dust, vehicle emissions, construction and demolition waste, solid waste, industrial pollution, greening, and real-time monitoring.

To tackle dust pollution specifically, the government mandates the installation of rooftop sprinkler systems on all high-rise buildings and plans to deploy 1,000 sprinklers and 140 anti-smog guns. It is also exploring cloud seeding to induce rain.

In a significant move to reduce vehicular emissions, the plan includes deploying over 5,000 new electric buses and 2,299 e-autos by the end of the year, alongside installing ANPR cameras to prevent end-of-life vehicles from entering the city.

Innovative technology integration is a hallmark of the plan, which incorporates AI, GPS tracking, cloud computing, and automated alerts into Delhi's air quality governance systems for real-time monitoring and response.

While experts have welcomed the initiative, some have noted the absence of stronger targets, suggesting more ambitious goals may be needed to significantly improve Delhi's notoriously poor air quality.

Gupta emphasized the government's commitment, stating, "Providing clean air to Delhi's citizens is not optional — it is our duty."

This comprehensive approach aims to address multiple pollution sources simultaneously, with the enhanced processing of construction waste expected to reduce dust and particulate matter significantly, potentially easing the city's chronic pollution challenges.

Delhi's government has boosted construction and demolition waste processing by 1,000 tonnes daily as part of a 25-point Air Pollution Mitigation Plan-2025. The plan includes deploying electric buses, anti-smog guns, and AI tools to combat pollution, aiming to provide cleaner air for citizens.