Night-Time Cleaning Push: NDMC's Bold Plan to Slash Road Dust in New Delhi
NDMC Vice-Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal announces night-time cleaning and mist spray systems to tackle air pollution in New Delhi.
In a decisive move to combat air pollution and enhance urban hygiene, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is shifting its gears toward a more aggressive cleaning schedule. Vice-Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal has instructed officials to prioritise NDMC road cleaning during the night, ensuring that dust levels are significantly reduced before the city wakes up each morning.
Speaking at a press conference at Palika Kendra, Chahal emphasised that these measures align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a Clean, Green, and Developed India. Given that the NDMC manages approximately 42.7 square kilometres, including 416 kilometres of roads that house critical Central Government offices, embassies, and luxury hotels, the stakes for maintaining environmental standards are exceptionally high.
Scaling Up the Machinery
To execute this vision, the NDMC is relying on a blend of modern technology and expanded manpower. The Council currently operates a fleet of cleaning equipment, including:
- 11 large mechanical road sweeping machines
- 4 small sweeping machines
- 4 ride-on scrubbers
- 20 litter pickers
However, the current capacity is being expanded. Chahal revealed plans to procure or deploy an additional four large and four medium-sized mechanical road sweeping machines, along with four leaf pickers, to ensure no corner of the city is left unattended.
Mist Spray Systems: A Breath of Fresh Air
Beyond sweeping, the NDMC is implementing a massive mist spray project to settle airborne dust. The goal is to install these systems on 1,200 electric poles across the city.
Current and Immediate Expansion
Mist spray systems are already operational at six key locations: Man Singh Road, Shahjahan Road, Bhagwan Das Road, Tilak Marg, Subramania Bharati Marg, and Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg. Within a week, this network will expand to six more roads, including:
- Aurobindo Marg
- Prithviraj Road
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Road
- Motilal Nehru Marg
- Copernicus Marg
- Barakhamba Road
The Long-Term Roadmap
The Council has set a target to make these systems operational by November 2026 on a wide array of other streets, including Mother Teresa Crescent, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Road, Shankar Road, Mandir Marg, Feroz Shah Road, Sikandra Road, R.K. Ashram Marg, Peshwa Road, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Ashoka Road, B.K.S. Marg, and Bhai Veer Singh Marg.
Battling Winter Smog
With the winter season approaching—a period notorious for severe smog in the capital—the NDMC has already deployed anti-smog guns. These high-tech devices have been installed across several prominent private and government landmarks.
Private Sector Integration: Anti-smog guns are now active at luxury establishments and commercial hubs, including The Leela Hotel, Hotel The Park, Shangri-La Hotel, ITC Maurya, The Taj Mahal Hotel, Taj Mansingh Hotel, The Oberoi, The Lalit Hotel, Chanakya Mall, and the DLF Building.
Government Infrastructure: The NDMC has also fortified its own buildings with these guns, including Yashwant Place, Chanakya Bhawan, Palika Bhawan, the Skill Development Centre, Moti Bagh, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Pragati Bhawan, Chandralok Building, Mohan Singh Place, Mayur Bhawan, and Palika Amrit Kaal Niwas.