The Delhi government has taken a significant step to fight dust pollution in the city. The Public Works Department (PWD) is installing water mist sprinklers on approximately 1,000 streetlights. This initiative targets 20 key locations where dust levels remain high. Officials confirmed that this system will operate throughout the year, marking a shift from seasonal anti-pollution measures.
Locations where sprinklers are being installed
The administration identified specific hotspots for this project based on pollution data. Systems are currently functional or being deployed at high-traffic areas to ensure maximum impact. The primary locations include ITO, Ring Road, Anand Vihar, Narela, and Punjabi Bagh West. Other areas receiving these upgrades are Rohini, Mundka, and Jahangirpuri.
Work will soon expand to residential and commercial zones like Ashok Vihar, Vivek Vihar, Okhla, and R.K. Puram. This ensures that major pollution corridors are covered to bring relief to commuters and residents. The goal is to suppress dust at the road level itself.
Operational timings and project details
These sprinklers will run in two shifts daily to keep dust settled during peak hours. The first shift is scheduled from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and the second runs from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Each unit uses RO-treated water to prevent nozzle clogging, with a pumping capacity of 2,000 litres per hour.
The project involves significant investment to ensure long-term functionality. The installation at Ashok Vihar is estimated at ₹3.24 crore, while the Narela and Bawana areas have a budget of ₹4 crore. PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh stated that road repairs are also happening alongside this to stop dust from rising again. Residents can also use the new ‘PWD Service App’ to report issues related to these sprinklers or road dust.
