As air pollution in the city rose to unprecedented levels, the Delhi government today announced a raft of measures, including vacuum cleaning and sprinkling of water on arterial roads, cutting dust from construction sites and prohibiting burning of leaves.

After a lengthy meeting with concerned departments, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also said the government has drawn up a roadmap to tackle air pollution under which emission control device to cut toxic pollutants at the landfill sites as well as in crematoriums will also be installed.

Vacuum cleaning

Sisodia said the PWD has been directed to re-introduce within two weeks vacuum cleaning and sprinkling of water on 1,250 km of roads under the agency. The vacuum cleaning of roads was stopped following the monsoon. “Jet pressure pump technique will be used for water sprinkling on footpath edges, road bumps and central verges. By doing this, we can control dust particles. In several countries, such technology is being used to curb dust pollution,” he said.

Sisodia said the PWD is exploring installation of mist fountain at five important traffic intersections, including Mukarba Chowk and Anand Vihar, the most polluted area of the city. It is also examining installation of air purifiers at traffic intersections.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has been told to strictly carry out regular inspection at construction sites having area more than 20,000 square metres. The agency has also been directed to submit a detailed note about dust pollution in construction sites to him.

Construction debris

“Ninety per cent of dust pollution comes from the construction sites which need to be regulated. There are 61 major construction sites in Delhi, but there are several small such sites and most of which violate laid down rules.

“The government has decided to make people aware of the dangers dust pollution. We will appeal to them to inform it about violations of rules. Swachh Delhi App developed by the Urban Development Department to be also linked with dust complaints from construction sites on which people can complain,” he said.