In a bold move to tackle its persistent air pollution crisis, the Delhi government has launched its most extensive anti-pollution strategy yet, featuring artificial rain, a ban on End-of-Life vehicles, and technology-driven compliance systems.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, ahead of World Environment Day, introduced the “Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025” under the banner “Shuddh Hawa Sabka Adhikar – Pradushan Par Zordar Prahar.”
The plan outlines sweeping reforms across dust control, vehicular emissions, waste management, and public transport, making it the most comprehensive initiative the capital has seen.
“Green Delhi, Healthy Delhi is not a slogan—it's our mission,” said CM Gupta at the launch event, flanked by cabinet members Ashish Sood, Kapil Mishra, and Manjinder Singh Sirsa. She emphasised that pollution in Delhi is a year-round public health crisis, not just a seasonal concern. Highlighting innovation, Gupta announced an MoU with IIT Kanpur for a pilot cloud-seeding initiative to induce artificial rain and suppress dust.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa underscored that the action plan was designed with a ground-level focus. “Our interventions are practical and rooted in local realities, but we're thinking big,” he said.
A key pillar of the plan is dust mitigation. The government will deploy 1,000 water sprinklers, 140 anti-smog guns, and 70 mechanical road sweepers throughout the year, except during the monsoon. Additional mist-spraying systems will be mounted on electric poles at 13 identified pollution hotspots.
A public-private innovation drive will support new dust control technologies, including a startup challenge to find cost-effective solutions. All commercial high-rise buildings over 3,000 sq m—such as malls and hotels—will be required to install rooftop anti-smog guns.
To ensure cleaner roads, Delhi will carry out a comprehensive road condition audit and introduce 200 more sprinklers and sweepers, 70 electric litter pickers, and 38 water tankers. Measures to regulate construction and demolition (C&D) pollution include mandatory online registration for all projects over 500 sq m via a newly launched AI-powered web portal.
This system will feature geo-tagging, digital compliance checks, automated alerts, and penalties for violations.
A new C&D waste processing unit at Tehkhand will increase waste capacity by 1,000 TPD. Public and private projects will also be encouraged to use recycled construction materials.
Starting July 1, 2025, End-of-Life Vehicles (EoLVs) will be barred from entering Delhi through automatic number plate recognition (ANPR)-enabled checkpoints and fuel stations. By November 1, only BS-VI, CNG, and EV commercial vehicles will be allowed entry—except for those already registered in Delhi. Toll booths will switch to cashless, RFID-enabled systems to ease traffic and reduce emissions from idling.
Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres will be audited biannually, with regulations simplified for public ease. The government also plans to build infrastructure to safely dismantle EoLVs.
The city’s shift to electric mobility will accelerate with 2,299 new e-autos at metro stations and the installation of 18,000 EV charging stations. Usage audits and incentives for swappable battery stations will further drive adoption. Additionally, 80% of the government fleet will transition to electric, and fuel-based vehicles in forest zones will be phased out.
Delhi will also expand its electric bus fleet with 5,004 new vehicles. Bus stops and depots will be revamped with dust-mitigating features like mist sprayers to ensure commuter comfort.
For traffic management, intelligent signals, stricter parking enforcement, and night-time road cleaning will be prioritised. Special pedestrian and cycling zones will be created to promote green mobility.
To eliminate landfill pollution, the government will enforce strict rules against diesel generator (DG) sets, pushing for cleaner alternatives. DG sets at mobile towers will be replaced with sustainable energy sources.
Legacy waste at Okhla, Bhalswa, and Ghazipur will be cleared through biomining by 2027–2028. Waste-to-energy capacity will expand, with Okhla’s plant growing to 2,950 TPD and a new 3,000 TPD plant coming up in Narela-Bawana. Biogas and bio-CNG plants at Ghogha Dairy and Okhla, respectively, will be operational by July 2025, contributing to a goal of zero landfill waste by 2028.
The plan targets 85% waste segregation at the source, mandating bulk waste generators to comply. Awareness campaigns and incentive-based waste collection schemes will support this transition.
To curb winter biomass and open waste burning, residential and office complexes will be required to provide electric heaters to workers. RWAs and security teams will be involved in distributing these heaters, and landfills will be upgraded to prevent fire hazards.
With 18 structured interventions spanning innovation, dust and emissions control, waste handling, and mobility reforms, Delhi’s new air quality strategy marks a pivotal shift in environmental governance. “Clean air is everyone's right,” declared Chief Minister Gupta, encapsulating the spirit behind the ambitious plan.