Capital's Combat: Enhanced Anti-Smog Operations Amid Deteriorating Air Quality

As air quality worsens, the Public Works Department (PWD) steps up its anti-smog monitoring efforts. Enhancements include integrating live tracking for anti-smog guns and employing water-sprinkling devices. The government mandates strict compliance with anti-dust norms, aiming to complete road cleaning initiatives within 45 days under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's directive.

In response to worsening air quality, the Public Works Department (PWD) is intensifying its monitoring and management of anti-smog operations, officials announced on Monday. To curb pollution, the department is enhancing the live tracking of approximately 200 anti-smog guns stationed throughout the capital.

A senior government official noted challenges due to varied monitoring systems provided by several companies. Consequently, PWD has allocated a budget of Rs 5.88 crore for hiring water-sprinkling anti-smog guns, aiming to unify the systems onto a single live-tracking platform. This initiative allows senior officers to monitor activities through mobile devices, ensuring adherence to anti-dust norms and taking action against violators. Currently, road dust collection exceeds 90 metric tonnes, while mechanical road sweeps have cleaned 1988 kilometers.

The PWD has also commenced a special drive for comprehensive dust control and deep cleaning along its roads, including Right of Way (RoW) areas. Two hundred anti-smog guns are dedicated daily to cover 200 meters of road, focusing on dust and debris removal. In a high-level meeting, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta mandated the completion of these tasks within 45 days, with severe penalties for any non-compliance.

(With inputs from agencies.)