Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has announced that the Delhi Government will adopt a hyperlocal approach to combat pollution, with district-specific action plans and advanced monitoring devices, aiming to start interventions well before winter. In an exclusive interview with The Tribune, Sirsa outlined a comprehensive strategy that includes identifying pollution sources at hotspots, stricter enforcement of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, and a massive geo-tagged plantation drive.
Hyperlocal Monitoring and District-Wise Plans
Sirsa said the government would identify pollution sources at hotspots using hyperlocal AQI monitoring. “Three major contributors of pollution requiring continuous intervention have been identified — pollution hotspots, vehicular emissions and dust generated by construction and industrial activities,” he said. The objective is to find the source of pollution and eliminate it before it spreads across Delhi. District-specific pollution profiles are being prepared, and meetings with District Magistrates have been conducted to identify existing and emerging hotspots. Each district will have its own action plan.
Collaboration with IIT-Kanpur
The Delhi Government has signed an MoU with IIT-Kanpur’s AIRAWAT initiative to deploy advanced pollution-monitoring devices capable of identifying the source of pollution within a 1-km radius. “The devices will not merely measure AQI, but also tell us why pollution has increased - whether because of traffic, dust, industries or any other source. That is the future of pollution control,” Sirsa said. He acknowledged that road dust is the main contributor to Delhi’s pollution and said an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism has been put in place for continuous cleaning and dust suppression.
Geo-Tagged Plantation Drive and Land Reclamation
Sirsa announced one of Delhi’s largest plantation drives, with every tree geo-tagged to create a digital record and monitor survival rates. “The Forest Department has identified tree species that release higher oxygen levels and are better suited to Delhi’s ecology. Every plantation will be tracked digitally,” he said. The government also plans to reclaim undisputed government land parcels that are encroached upon or in unauthorized occupation. “Wherever there are no pending court cases, possession would be taken lawfully and, if required, with administrative force. Reclaimed land will be used to expand Delhi’s green cover and the exercise will be completed before the Independence Day,” the minister said.
Stricter EV Policy and Industrial Crackdown
Sirsa said the Delhi Government will ensure stricter implementation of the new Electric Vehicle Policy. “Only BS-VI-compliant vehicles will be permitted under the government’s pollution-control framework. Construction activities violating environmental norms will face strict action,” he said. On industrial pollution, the minister said the government will identify every unauthorised unit and assess environmental compliance, irrespective of which department has jurisdiction. “If a unit is polluting, we will not allow procedural issues to become an excuse for inaction,” said Sirsa, adding that the government will allow around three months for compliance, after which strict action will be taken against violators.
2,200 Industrial Units Under Scanner
The minister revealed that 24 unauthorised industrial clusters, comprising nearly 2,200 units, have been identified for pollution checks. “The environmental compliance of these units is currently being assessed. The government is also working on a policy framework to act against illegal structures that contribute to pollution, irrespective of whether they formally fall under the jurisdiction of the Environment Department,” Sirsa said.
Challenges and Criticism of Past Governments
Sirsa criticised the erstwhile Congress and Aam Aadmi Party governments, saying Delhi’s environmental challenges persisted due to the absence of a coherent policy framework. “The biggest challenge has been the lack of a structured policy and institutional framework to bring meaningful change,” he said, adding that previous governments had failed to create a sustained environmental governance mechanism, resulting in recurring pollution crises every winter.
