Delhi’s Air Pollution Mitigation Plan Misses Key Tools, Experts Raise Red Flags
Delhi’s new Air Pollution Mitigation Plan, launched to tackle one of the world’s most toxic urban environments, has drawn scrutiny from environmental experts who warn it may fall short on execution. While the plan proposes bans on older vehicles, anti-smog guns, and cloud seeding, concerns persist about its limited use of real-time emission tracking, regional transport integration, and public health communication—elements considered essential for achieving sustained, city-wide air quality improvements.
Among the key features of Delhi’s 2025 plan is a restriction on polluting vehicles—only BS-VI, electric, or CNG vehicles will be allowed from November for entry into the capital. While this move has been applauded in principle, experts argue that excluding vehicles already registered in Delhi weakens its impact. The plan’s implementation also lacks coordination across NCR cities such as Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad, despite the region’s interconnected traffic and emissions ecosystem. Experts highlight that without a unified, multimodal public transport strategy, the city-centric approach will likely fall short. Technological omissions further weaken enforcement: the plan lacks provisions for remote-sensing emission checks, which could identify on-road polluters in real time. Pilot studies have shown these tools to be transformative in managing vehicular emissions. Additionally, the policy overlooks critical updates like Chemical Transport Models (CTMs) and a health-based advisory system to guide the public—both of which are standard in modern air quality management frameworks.
The plan includes large-scale deployment of electric buses, charging stations, and e-autos, along with anti-smog guns and mist sprayers at known pollution hotspots. However, urban mobility experts suggest these are stopgap measures that only marginally reduce pollution without addressing root causes. The introduction of artificial rain via cloud seeding—though innovative—has been questioned for its scientific unpredictability, especially in Delhi’s erratic weather conditions. Authorities have also rolled out water sprinklers and dust control protocols, but implementation remains limited and inconsistent. Seasonal sources like stubble burning continue to push the AQI to hazardous levels during winter, and the absence of a transboundary action plan undermines year-round efforts. According to air quality researchers, the plan fails to prioritise sustained structural changes such as regional cooperation, permanent emission tracking, and updated urban infrastructure to manage construction dust and industrial waste. As it stands, the plan risks being a fragmented response to a systemic crisis.
Delhi’s latest anti-pollution strategy reflects political intent, but its long-term success hinges on scientific coherence, regional integration, and robust enforcement. Experts caution that temporary fixes like mist sprayers and vehicle restrictions cannot substitute for data-driven emission controls, comprehensive public health advisories, and cross-border cooperation. Without embracing real-time monitoring, remote sensing technologies, and better urban planning, the capital may struggle to escape its recurring air quality emergency. To make meaningful progress, the city must move beyond symbolic gestures and commit to structural, scalable solutions that address pollution at the source and across the NCR region.
