Delhi government has announced an ambitious new action plan to combat the city’s chronic air pollution. Delhi Chief Minister on Saturday unveiled a multi-pronged approach centred on electrification, greening, and dust suppression to address the worsening air quality that continues to endanger public health and urban sustainability.
In a public statement, the Chief Minister blamed what she described as years of administrative neglect for turning Delhi into one of the country’s most polluted cities. However, she expressed confidence in a turnaround, citing a new policy direction that prioritises long-term environmental recovery over short-term political optics.At the core of this new strategy is a renewed focus on clean mobility. The government is preparing to roll out an enhanced electric vehicle (EV) policy that aims to accelerate Delhi’s shift away from internal combustion engines. Officials said the forthcoming policy would build on the city’s earlier EV framework but with sharper targets, more charging infrastructure, and financial support for public and private fleet conversions.
To control particulate matter—a major pollutant responsible for respiratory ailments—the administration is deploying over 1,000 mechanised water sprinklers across the city. These sprinklers will operate on arterial roads and pollution hotspots to suppress airborne dust. The plan is also expected to include new street vacuum machines and stricter construction dust compliance measures, though the full operational rollout has yet to be detailed.Perhaps the most impactful intervention in the pipeline is a massive urban forestry drive. According to the Chief Minister, more than 70 lakh saplings are slated for plantation in the coming months as part of a wider effort to improve carbon sequestration, restore urban biodiversity, and reduce heat islands. This initiative is being jointly executed with multiple departments, signalling cross-agency alignment.
Delhi’s air quality continues to deteriorate during the winter months, with pollution readings frequently crossing hazardous levels. On Saturday, monitoring stations across Anand Vihar, Bawana, and Shadipur recorded ‘poor’ AQI levels, with the national capital once again drawing attention from both international observers and environmental advocates.The causes of this seasonal crisis are well-documented: vehicular emissions, industrial discharge, dust from construction sites, and cross-border stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana combine to create a deadly haze that blankets the capital.
Environmentalists have long argued that reactive measures, such as temporary bans and odd-even vehicular rationing, fail to address the root causes. They advocate for persistent structural reforms, long-term infrastructure investment, and behavioural change, particularly in sectors such as transport, energy, and agriculture.While the Chief Minister’s plan shows intent, the success of this effort will rest on its execution and the administration’s willingness to enforce regulations across political and bureaucratic boundaries. Given Delhi’s complex governance landscape—shared by the central and state authorities—coordinated efforts and transparent monitoring will be crucial to sustaining public trust.
For now, residents can only hope that this renewed push signals not another seasonal patchwork but the beginning of a permanent clean-air future for the city.
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