Delhi CM Rekha Gupta inaugurated six new air quality monitoring stations and flagged off 100 ‘Vayu Rakshak’ vehicles to strengthen year-round pollution control, emphasizing long-term solutions, green space protection, and technology-driven monitoring
-1770638929614_d.png "Delhi air pollution: CM Rekha Gupta inaugurates six new air quality monitoring stations")
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. File Pic
As part of the efforts to control Delhi air pollution, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday said controlling pollution requires continuous, year-round effort as she inaugurated six new Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) stations to expand real-time tracking of air quality across the city as per PTI.
The new stations, set up by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), are located at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Indira Gandhi National Open University, NSUT West Campus (Dwarka), CWD Akshardham, Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in Delhi Cantt, and the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Pool Complex at Talkatora Garden.
“Our goal is to have at least one monitoring station for every 25 sq km in Delhi to get accurate data on pollution levels and their sources,” Gupta said.
The city currently has 46 air quality stations, with 14 more planned to cover residential areas, traffic corridors, industrial zones, and green belts.
'Vayu Rakshak' vehicles to enforce pollution norms
Gupta also flagged off 100 ‘Vayu Rakshak’ vehicles that will monitor pollution from industries, vehicles, hotels, and institutions across Delhi. “Pollution is not a seasonal problem. It requires 365-day monitoring and action,” she said, adding that air safety officers will supervise pollution control throughout the year.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said 100 permanent surveyors will be appointed for inspections and enforcement. He also noted improved coordination among the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, CAQM, and the central government, which allows better data-driven planning and monitoring according to PTI.
Steps to reduce pollution and protect green spaces
Gupta highlighted the city’s efforts to reduce emissions, including 4,200 electric buses, which will rise to 14,000 by 2028. Automated vehicle testing stations are being developed, and a new electric vehicle policy for private vehicles is underway. She also called the notification of large parts of Delhi Ridge as forest land a historic step, saying, “Protecting green spaces is key to long-term environmental health.”
Both Gupta and Sirsa criticized earlier short-term measures like smoke towers and odd-even schemes as “cosmetic solutions” that failed to tackle pollution at its source.
Waste management and technology improvements
Sirsa outlined progress in waste management, saying around 85 percent of Delhi’s daily 12,500 metric tonnes of waste is now processed for energy production. The government has cleared 45 acres of legacy garbage dumps and is reducing the height of remaining mounds. He added, “The main causes of pollution are road dust, vehicle emissions, and garbage mountains, but previous governments did not take serious action.”
Gupta emphasized that technology and monitoring are essential for cleaner air. “Through close cooperation in the field of technology, we are giving our partnership a futuristic direction,” she said as per PTI. She reiterated the government’s commitment to long-term planning to ensure clean air for all residents.
(With PTI Inputs)
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