NDMC Installs Anti-Smog Guns on High-Rise Buildings to Tackle Delhi Pollution

New Delhi: In a bid to improve air quality as pollution levels rise, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has begun installing anti-smog guns on the rooftops of high-rise buildings in central areas of the city. Officials said that at least 14 anti-smog guns are now operational on tall structures within the NDMC area, including buildings in key sectors of the capital. Three of the devices were installed on council buildings, while the rest were placed on private high-rises where installation was mandated. In addition to the fixed installations, NDMC continues to operate mobile anti-smog units, which cover extensive road networks daily, spraying a fine mist designed to bind and settle dust and particulate matter in the air. Mandatory Installation for Large Buildings Under a directive issued by city authorities, commercial, institutional, and large office buildings that are ground plus five floors and above and have a built-up area exceeding 3,000 square metres were required to install anti-smog guns by a specified deadline. Residential societies are not covered by this requirement. The guidelines specify the minimum number of anti-smog guns based on the size of the building, with larger structures required to install more devices. How Anti-Smog Guns Work Anti-smog guns release fine mist droplets into the atmosphere. These droplets are intended to attach to dust particles and particulate matter, causing them to fall to the ground more quickly rather than remain suspended in the air, thus providing temporary relief from smog and dust pollution in localized areas. Part of a Broader Pollution Control Strategy The installation of anti-smog guns is one component of a wider air quality action plan adopted in the capital. Other measures include increased road dust suppression, mist spraying along busy routes, intensified checks on vehicular emissions, and broader enforcement actions designed to tackle seasonal spikes in pollution. Environmental experts note that while anti-smog guns can help reduce dust and particulate matter in the short term, sustained improvement in air quality will require addressing the major sources of pollution, such as traffic emissions, construction activity, and agricultural burning in surrounding regions. City officials have said that additional installations and deployments will continue as part of efforts to combat worsening pollution, particularly during the winter months when smog becomes more severe.