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DELHI NEWS : In an effort to provide relief from the persistent dust and pollution choking Delhi’s air, the city government is introducing a network of mist sprayers along key roads and public areas. High-traffic locations like Connaught Place, Khan Market, Mandir Marg, and Aurobindo Marg are among the first to benefit from this initiative, which uses high-pressure misting systems to combat dust pollution.
Launched in partnership with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the ₹15-crore project will be implemented in three phases. Thousands of ultra-fine mist nozzles will be installed on electric poles to trap airborne dust and offer a cooling effect, particularly beneficial ahead of the winter smog season.
How the system works:
Each misting pole will carry around 30 high-pressure nozzles that emit a fine water spray. This mist clings to dust particles, causing them to settle and helping clear the air. The system also helps moderate temperatures during extreme weather. The installation cost per kilometre is approximately ₹35 lakh.
Phase-I: Priority roads in Central Delhi
The first phase focuses on major roads like Barakhamba Road, Firozshah Road, Sikandra Road, and Bhagwan Dass Road, covering 10 stretches in total. With 511 poles and 15,330 nozzles, this phase is budgeted at ₹7.97 crore.
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Mandir Marg (1.79 km): 114 poles, 3,420 nozzles
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Tilak Marg (1.23 km): 61 poles, 1,830 nozzles
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Subramanian Bharti Marg (2.21 km): 67 poles, 2,010 nozzles
The phase is expected to be completed in 3–4 months, in time to counter winter pollution, according to Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
Phase-II: Broadening the coverage
The second phase includes 14 more major roads such as Shahjahan Road, Aurobindo Marg, Ashoka Road, and Mother Teresa Crescent. With 530 poles and over 15,300 nozzles, this phase will cost around ₹7.31 crore.
Key stretches include:
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Aurobindo Marg (1.95 km): 95 poles, 2,850 nozzles
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Mother Teresa Crescent (1.97 km): 65 poles, 1,950 nozzles
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Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg (1 km): 61 poles, 1,830 nozzles
Phase-III: High-footfall public areas
The third phase will focus on busy public spaces with high pedestrian and vehicular activity, such as Hanuman Mandir, Khan Market, and Connaught Place.
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Hanuman Mandir: ₹82.7 lakh
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Khan Market: ₹76.3 lakh
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Connaught Place Inner Circle: ₹1.01 crore
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Outer Circle: ₹1.18 crore
This phase alone will cost ₹3.79 crore.
Pilot efforts already underway
Trial installations are already in place along Lodhi Road, with similar systems nearing completion at Shanti Path and Africa Avenue.
A step forward, not a final fix
Although mist sprayers aren’t a comprehensive solution to Delhi’s air quality problems—largely driven by vehicular emissions, construction activity, and stubble burning—they offer visible and immediate improvement in densely populated areas. An MCD official noted, “This isn’t a cure-all, but it’s a concrete step to make commercial and public zones more breathable.”