Delhi's Pollution Battle: How AQI Dropped 50 Points Amid Winter Crackdown

Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for clean air and sustainable cities, and under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi Government has intensified its on-ground winter enforcement drive across all districts.

Chairing a review meeting with senior officials, Sirsa said, "Delhi's AQI has improved significantly. Today's level of 305 is nearly 50 points better than yesterday's 353. The city is responding to swift, coordinated action on the ground."

He directed departments to sustain this progress with a laser focus on identified pollution hotspots, ensuring inter-agency coordination through the Green War Room.

"Around 2000 teams are in the field day and night. Delhi's strategy is not limited to winter; it's a 24x7, year-round governance model that keeps data, accountability, and citizens at its core," said Minister Sirsa.

Sirsa added that while current measures are showing results, the government is also preparing for the future.

"Our efforts are not limited to the present; we're strengthening the future. Work will soon begin for 70 more mechanised sweepers, 70 additional anti-smog guns, water sprinklers and 140 litter pickers covering 1,440 km of roads. We're encouraging innovation through Delhi's Clean Air Challenge, and cloud seeding will soon be conducted with IIT Kanpur and IMD," Sirsa said.

"200-day teams and 178-night teams (970+ personnel) are deployed to monitor dust and construction norms. Sites above 500 sqm are under strict monitoring. MCD, PWD, DDA, DSIIDC, and CPWD are leading with GPS-tracked sweepers and daily Green War Room reporting," he added.

"578 teams from Transport and allied departments, and 505 mobile prosecution teams of Delhi Traffic Police with 974 officers, are on the ground to check PUC, idling, and visible smoke violations. 65 dedicated teams (33 DPCC and 32 DSIIDC) conduct daily inspections to ensure compliance with PNG-only fuel use and emission requirements. The government has also accelerated its transition to an electric vehicle fleet, substantially reducing transport emissions," Sirsa said.

"We have moved from reactive clean-up to continuous control. Every machine, every vehicle, and every officer is accountable through real-time dashboards. Delhi is cleaning its air through action, not announcements," said Sirsa.

Under the 25-point Winter Action Plan, the Delhi Government continues to scale its science-backed and citizen-centric framework. Cloud seeding with IIT Kanpur and IMD to commence soon, subject to meteorological clearance. 136.27 lakh tonnes of legacy waste biomined and zero landfill fires recorded in 2025 -- a milestone year.

"Delhi's improved AQI shows that the system is working -- but our focus is long-term. Clean air cannot be an event; it must be an everyday mission," Sirsa said.

He further emphasised, "This government is working with a Service Mindset. Every department is functioning with the spirit of Seva to serve citizens with cleaner air. Under CM Rekha Gupta's leadership, we're building systems that sustain progress, not just manage crises."

The Environment Department reaffirmed that Delhi's Green War Room continues daily coordination with 30+ stakeholder agencies -- including PWD, MCD, NDMC, DDA, DSIIDC, DPCC, Revenue, and Delhi Police -- to sustain momentum through winter.

"This is a government that measures progress not in promises, but in cleaner skies and healthier citizens. Delhi's air is improving -- and every citizen is part of that progress," Sirsa said.

- ANI