AI, Smog Guns And More: Bad-Air Fight To Go Smart

New Delhi: Sending automatic notice to pollution norm violators at construction and demolition sites causing high PM2.5 levels through an AI-enabled website, installation of anti-smog guns in commercial establishments measuring 5,000 square metres and above and high-rise buildings, addition of 2,300 e-rickshaws at metro stations and third-party audit of pollution certification centres are salient features of the environment action plan for 2025-26.Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Tuesday that the plan would be released by chief minister Rekha Gupta next week. Sirsa broached the plan with Gupta at a high-level committee meeting at Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday. After discussing improving the city’s air quality, expanding green cover and reviewing the implementation of environmental policies, govt departments were instructed to undertake strict and time-bound measures to combat pollution.For controlling dust, the action plan endorses rooftop sprinkler systems for all high-rise buildings and compulsory water sprinkling systems at construction sites to settle dust. Delhi govt will also deploy 1,000 water sprinklers and 140 mobile anti-smog guns across the city throughout the year, except during the monsoons. Delhi govt is preparing for a trial of artificial rain in Delhi, which can prove a breakthrough in controlling air pollution.Gupta said all construction and demolition (C&D) sites over 500 sqm must now register on the Delhi Pollution Control Committee portal to ensure compliance with air pollution control norms. It will be mandatory to install anti-smog guns in high-rises and commercial establishments measuring 5,000 sqm, while sites between 200 and 500 sqm must also follow dust control guidelines, with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi responsible for enforcement.

To reduce vehicular pollution, the action plan will instal RFID tag readers at 95% of the entry points of Delhi. “Delhi govt has installed 495 automatic number plate recognition cameras at petrol stations to detect end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). This is being extended to all border entry points,” Gupta said. “The cameras will identify restricted vehicles and notify enforcement authorities. This system will also allow real-time tracking of ELVs operating in the city.”CM said that if an ELV entered Delhi, its owner would receive an instant SMS alert. Variable signboards at border points would display the count of such vehicles. In addition, SMS alerts would be sent to owners of ELVs registered in neighbouring states, notifying them that their vehicles weren’t permitted to enter the capital.Gupta announced that all PUC centres in Delhi would be audited. Any test centre found issuing false certificates would be fined. The CAG report tabled on April 1 had highlighted irregularities in the issue of PUC certificates, such as their being issued without conducting proper tests, due to which the correctness of the certification was in doubt. Over one lakh vehicles were declared ‘Pass’ and given PUC certificate despite emitting CO/HC beyond the permissible limits.To boost public transport, 2,300 e-rickshaws will be stationed at metro stations for last-mile connectivity. Of these, 700 would be operated by women, thus providing them with employment while promoting safe, eco-friendly travel.Sirsa said the environment plan with its 40 action points defines specific targeted steps to combat pollution. “A key feature of this plan is the development of an AI-enabled beta version 2 of the DPCC portal, which will enable direct online issuance of challans to polluting entities,” said Sirsa. “To add to this, all vehicles deployed for dust mitigation, those carrying anti-smog guns and all water sprinklers would be GPS-enabled for real-time monitoring. These vehicles will also be equipped with sensors to assess the air quality,” he said.Gupta stressed that Delhi govt was fully committed to fighting air pollution through a combination of technology, enforcement and coordination. She said that govt’s environmental commitment went beyond announcements to result-driven actions with permanent changes being the priority.