30 EV-based mechanical road sweeping machines to be deployed for cleaning smaller roads: CM Rekha Gupta
Real-time monitoring of PM2.5 and PM10 sources in collaboration with IIT Delhi: CM Rekha Gupta
Delhi Government Working with Scientific Approach and Public Participation to Curb Pollution: CM Rekha Gupta
New Delhi, September 2026 : The Delhi government led by Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta has implemented the ‘Winter Action Plan 2026-27’ with public participation to tackle pollution in the capital. At a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Smt. Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday, two key decisions were taken to strengthen ground-level cleaning and enable scientific, real-time identification of pollution sources. Under the first decision, mechanised cleaning will be extended to smaller roads as well. The Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) will be provided a grant to procure 30 electric vehicle-based mechanical road sweeping machines (MRSMs). Under the second decision, a system for continuous, real-time identification and analysis of PM2.5 and PM10 pollution sources will be developed in collaboration with IIT Delhi.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the Delhi government was not looking at pollution merely as a problem that intensifies during winter, but was working continuously and scientifically on pollution sources throughout the year. With the guidance and support of the Central government and Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the government was working with full commitment towards making Delhi clean and pollution-free. Various government departments, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the municipal corporation and scientific institutions were working together to take concrete steps to control pollution.
She said the government’s effort was to address every major source of pollution simultaneously and ensure adequate resources for the task. The government was taking continuous action on road dust, vehicular pollution, dust generated by construction and demolition activities, industrial pollution, pollution caused by the burning of waste and biomass, increasing green cover, and effective enforcement of rules.
Mechanised cleaning to reach smaller roads
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the Cabinet had decided to expand mechanised cleaning to smaller roads where the facility was currently unavailable, considering road dust to be a significant source of particulate pollution. The initiative will cover around 609 km of roads with a right of way of less than 10 metres. A total of 854 roads across 250 wards have been identified under the initiative.
She said the government would provide a grant to the municipal corporation for the initiative, while the corporation would deploy and operate the machines on the ground. The deployment of 30 EV-based mechanical road sweeping machines is estimated to cost around Rs 393.73 crore over 10 years. The use of electric machines will also ensure that the cleaning process undertaken for pollution control remains environmentally friendly. Through this decision, the Delhi government and the municipal corporation will work together to expand ground-level action to reduce pollution caused by road dust.
Real-time system to identify sources of pollution
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also said the Cabinet had approved continuous, real-time source apportionment of PM2.5 and PM10 in partnership with IIT Delhi to strengthen the government’s scientific strategy against pollution. Under the initiative, the major sources of pollution and their quantities will be scientifically analysed continuously over 24 hours. The system will help identify and assess pollution sources such as vehicular emissions, road dust and biomass burning.
She said the existing super site at Rouse Avenue would be reactivated for scientific operations. The mobile laboratory would also be reactivated to enable targeted studies of pollution hotspots and local sources. The collaboration with IIT Delhi will be for five years and is estimated to cost around Rs 19.22 crore. The project will include restarting the existing super site and mobile laboratory, setting up a real-time dashboard and analytical reporting, and undertaking work related to enhancing the capacity of DPCC officials.
Pollution control campaign to continue throughout the year
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the two Cabinet decisions complemented each other, with one strengthening ground-level action and the other strengthening the science behind that action. Together, they reflect the government’s strategy of tackling pollution at its source by bringing together adequate funding, coordination among different agencies, clean technology and institutional scientific expertise.
She said the Delhi government’s pollution control campaign was not limited to the days of high pollution during winter. The government was working throughout the year on road dust, vehicular emissions, dust from construction and demolition activities, industrial pollution, waste and biomass burning, increasing green cover, enforcement and public participation.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said ensuring clean air for the people of Delhi was among the government’s top priorities. The government would continue to provide the resources required for pollution control, strengthen coordination among the concerned agencies, and work with scientific institutions and citizens to implement long-term and effective solutions.
