MCD Unveils Massive Winter Plan to Combat Delhi Pollution
The MCD rolls out a massive winter action plan featuring anti-smog guns, mechanical sweepers, and water sprinklers to fight rising pollution in Delhi.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has officially ramped up its offensive against seasonal air pollution with a comprehensive Winter Action Plan. Aimed at curbing dust and managing waste, the civic body is deploying a heavy arsenal of mechanical sweepers, water sprinklers, and anti-smog guns to ensure the capital remains breathable during the colder months.
High-Tech Dust Control and Cleaning Drives
To tackle the menace of road dust, the MCD is moving beyond manual labor. While nearly 57,000 Safai Mitras are currently manually sweeping approximately 6,127 km of roads, the corporation is heavily investing in mechanization. Currently, 66 mechanical sweeping machines are operational, successfully collecting about 180 tonnes of dust every single day.
The scale of mechanization is set to grow rapidly. The MCD has outlined plans for the following:
- Expansion of Sweeping Fleet: A proposal for 70 additional mechanical sweeping machines has been made, with tenders already floated for 40 more.
- Litter Management: The deployment of 1,000 litter picker machines is being planned to maintain cleanliness.
- Silt Removal: As part of a Deep Cleaning Drive initiated in May, the corporation has already cleared around 2,900 metric tonnes of silt.
Deploying Anti-Smog Guns and Sprinklers
A critical component of the plan involves suppressing airborne particles through moisture. The MCD has deployed 167 water sprinklers and 28 mobile anti-smog guns directly onto the streets. To target pollution at its source, an additional 20 anti-smog guns have been stationed at Construction and Demolition (C&D) facilities, dumpsites, and Waste-to-Energy plants.
Furthermore, 15 anti-smog guns are installed at MCD high-rise buildings, and twelve more sprinklers and guns have recently been procured to bolster the city's defenses.
Strict Enforcement and Hotspot Monitoring
MCD Standing Committee Chairperson Satya Sharma emphasized that the corporation will not rely solely on emergency measures but will maintain continuous, strict action. Joint enforcement teams have been tasked with monitoring several key areas:
- Biomass burning and the use of unauthorized fuels.
- Dust generated from construction and demolition activities.
- Illegal dumping of C&D waste.
The civic body is also maintaining a vigilant watch on 46 specific pollution hotspots identified by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). These locations are being monitored by dedicated nodal officers and teams spread across 11 revenue districts.
Infrastructure and Green Cover Expansion
Recognizing that road quality impacts dust levels, the MCD reported that it has undertaken the resurfacing and strengthening of 1,202 km of roads this year. Additionally, 6,797 potholes were repaired between April and August to ensure smoother transit and less dust disturbance.
In an effort to create natural air filters, the corporation has significantly boosted Delhi's green cover. Between April and August, the MCD planted 4,00,282 saplings, which includes:
- 1,26,866 trees
- 2,69,882 shrubs
- 3,534 bamboo plants
The civic body also successfully met its target of developing 8,68,958 square metres of previously identified brown patches, turning them into green spaces to help mitigate the city's environmental challenges.