Delhi govt’s BIG decision to mitigate air pollution: Anti-smog guns now mandatory for high-rise buildings, hotels, malls

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday unveiled the Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025 and declared significant measures to combat the issue — requiring the installation of anti-smog guns on tall commercial structures in the capital — especially those exceeding 3,000 metres such as malls, hotels, and office buildings.

The authorities mandated the setup of mist sprayers at 13 air quality trouble spots in the capital and will allow only BS-VI, EVs, and CNG vehicles starting November 1. CM Rekha Gupta mentioned that the government intends to set up ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras at every entry point to Delhi and at petrol stations to identify end-of-life vehicles that are contributing to pollution.

The ANPR cameras will automatically recognize these vehicles, allowing authorities to promptly act to track and prevent them from functioning in the capital. Delhi frequently ranks as one of the most polluted cities globally, with PM2.5 levels frequently surpassing safe thresholds, particularly in winter. As per a report from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Delhi had around 121 days where the air quality met national standards, a decrease from 152 days in 2023.

Under the Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025, Delhi’s Chief Minister announced that the government will partner with top scientific institutions to address pollution with advanced technologies.

Delhi has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IIT Kanpur to initiate a pilot project for artificial rain through cloud seeding. Gupta stated that this initiative signals the start of Delhi’s attempts to investigate creative solutions, like artificial rain, to address its ongoing air quality issues.

Last week, due to an unexpected surge in air pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage-I measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) throughout the entire NCR region, which was lifted two days later as air quality improved. In 2024, the AQI soared to above 400, with more than 14 areas in Delhi registering that figure on November 17.