Pollution Crackdown: MCD Seals 3 Industrial Units in West Delhi
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi sealed three industrial units in the West Zone for pollution violations during a massive joint inspection drive.
In a decisive move to curb environmental degradation, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has sealed three industrial units in the city's West Zone. The action followed a rigorous joint inspection drive aimed at identifying and penalizing entities engaged in polluting activities, signaling a zero-tolerance approach toward air quality violations.
Joint Operation in West Zone
The crackdown took place across Ward No. 110 (Kunwar Singh Nagar) and Ward No. 111 (Baprola), specifically targeting areas in Brahmpuri and Chanchal Park. To ensure a comprehensive sweep, the MCD's West Zone collaborated with several key agencies, including:
- The Revenue Department
- Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)
- BSES
- Delhi Police
During the operation, the joint task force inspected a total of seven sites, which included six industrial units and one godown. Upon finding three of these industrial units actively engaged in polluting activities, the authorities sealed them on the spot. To ensure the units could not continue operations clandestinely, their electricity connections were disconnected and their meters were seized.
Broad Strategy to Combat Air Pollution
This enforcement drive is part of a larger, intensified effort by the MCD to tackle the perennial problem of air pollution in the national capital. Beyond sealing illegal units, the Corporation has launched a multi-pronged strategy focusing on dust mitigation and urban cleanliness.
Deep Cleaning and Dust Control
The MCD is currently conducting deep cleaning of identified dust-prone roads across all 12 zones of the city. By strengthening field-level enforcement, the Corporation aims to ensure that dust mitigation measures are strictly implemented to lower the concentration of particulate matter in the air.
Managing Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste
To prevent the illegal dumping of debris—a major contributor to road dust—the MCD has designated specific sites for C&D waste in all 250 wards. To manage these sites, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been implemented, requiring:
- Wind-breaking walls: Installation of walls at least three metres higher than the material heaps to prevent dust from flying.
- Material Covering: Regular wetting or complete covering of dumped materials, especially stone aggregates.
- Advanced Sprinkling: Use of specialized fine-nozzle water sprinkling systems across the designated areas.
Technological Intervention: Anti-Smog Guns
The MCD has also deployed heavy machinery to fight smog and dust. A fleet of 167 water sprinklers is currently active on various roads. Furthermore, 40 mobile Anti-Smog Guns (ASGs) have been deployed across the city.
The deployment of ASGs is strategically divided: 20 units are stationed at MCD facilities, including Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants, dumpsites, and C&D processing plants, while another 20 units have been installed at MCD high-rise buildings to suppress dust at the source.