Government preparing strategy to combat air pollution
The Delhi Government is preparing a comprehensive, year-round strategy to combat air pollution through science-backed interventions, advanced technology and coordinated governance. As part of this approach, the Delhi Government is exploring a potential collaboration with IIT Kanpur to leverage Artificial Intelligence and advanced air quality intelligence systems for pollution mitigation.
The Environment department is all set to deliberate on the roadmap for collaboration, institutional mechanisms and phased implementation. Speaking on the initiative, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “We are moving towards a model where decisions are driven by real-time data, source identification and measurable outcomes, not reactive measures.”
The proposed collaboration aims to strengthen Delhi’s ability to identify pollution sources at a granular level, assess their impact, and enable targeted, timely interventions across sectors. The emphasis is on building systems that can monitor, analyse, forecast and guide action on a continuous basis.
“Our objective is clear - pollution control cannot be seasonal. Delhi needs a 365-day action framework that combines technology, governance and enforcement, working in complete coordination backed by data-driven decision-making,” the Minister added.
A key pillar of this approach is dynamic source apportionment, which will help authorities scientifically identify contributions from dust, transport, industry, biomass burning and regional factors. This evidence will enable agencies to act at the source of pollution, rather than resorting to blanket bans and reactive measures.
The proposed collaboration also emphasises on multi-agency coordination, to ensure that municipal bodies, district administrations, enforcement agencies and technical institutions operate on a shared data platform with clearly defined roles and accountability.
“When every agency works from the same scientific evidence, action becomes faster, sharper and more effective. This is how we are aiming to transformation Delhi from firefighting to actual prevention,” Sirsa said.
The Delhi Government is acting simultaneously on four key fronts-vehicular emissions, dust control, polluting industries, and waste management-with round-the-clock interventions by civic agencies.
Strict dust norms at construction sites, mechanical road sweeping, anti-smog guns, and mist spray systems on electric poles are tackling airborne particles effectively. Closure actions against polluting industries are underway through surveys led by District Magistrates and Divisional Commissioners, while intensified waste picking from streets and bio-mining at all landfill sites process approximately 35 MT of legacy waste daily, significantly reducing waste mountains.
The Delhi Government reiterated its commitment to adopting best-in-class scientific expertise, strengthening institutional capacity, and building a robust decision-support framework to ensure cleaner air for citizens, year after year. Further details on the collaboration and implementation roadmap will be shared after formal deliberations.
