During a recent meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House Committee, air quality management and dust reduction strategies were the primary focus. Councillors from various political affiliations engaged in discussions on effective measures to prevent Delhi from becoming a “gas chamber” during the winter months.
Sandeep Kumar, Chairperson of the Environment Management Committee, announced that the Delhi government has approved funding for a new fleet of 70 mechanical road-sweeping machines to address dust issues. This includes 45 smaller machines, each with a 2 cubic meter capacity, specifically intended for narrow streets under 60 feet in width, as well as 32 larger units with a 4 cubic meter capacity for major thoroughfares.
Furthermore, the committee sanctioned the assignment of 1,000 sanitation workers to each ward on a four-day rotation, along with one specialized mechanical cleaning machine for every Assembly Constituency. This initiative aims to enhance maintenance in commercial areas and reduce dust pollution.
Dust pollution is recognized as a significant contributor to air quality deterioration in Delhi during the colder months.
Ritu Goel, a councillor from the Rohini F ward, proposed a stringent four-month ban on uncovered construction material piles, which are a major source of dust pollution. She suggested that this ban could eventually become permanent.
Rajpal Singh, a councillor from Sri Niwas Puri, urged for an immediate temporary ban of three to four months on the use of wood in all 263 cremation grounds managed by the MCD during the peak winter season, a measure he posited would help in reducing air pollution. He advocated for the use of eco-friendly cow-dung cakes instead, a suggestion that received support from other councillors as it could also alleviate issues of sewer blockages caused by stray cattle waste.
Mukesh Kumar Goel, the Adarsh Nagar Councillor, called for strict penalties against the open burning of waste in Delhi, highlighting that both sanitation workers and residents often engage in this practice.
Pankaj Luthra, representing Jhilmil, pointed out that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed pollution fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 since 1997, which remain largely uncollected by the municipal body. He proposed the deployment of 50 to 100 dedicated MCD staff members to enforce the collection of these overdue fines, estimating that this could recover over Rs 100 crore in missing municipal revenue while discouraging future violations.
Frustrated by the inefficiency of private contractor Delhi Municipal Solid Waste Solutions Limited, the Rohini F ward Councillor demanded accountability, noting that 80% of the collection vehicles and rickshaws in her area are out of service, leading to waste accumulation.
Rajesh Kumar Gupta, the Mubarikpur Councillor, echoed similar concerns, stating that significant waste build-up in his Assembly constituency is due to the contractor’s poor performance, with only one or two out of five assigned trucks operational, alongside just four rickshaws. He insisted that the MCD Commissioner should personally oversee vehicle deployment to ensure full operational capacity for door-to-door waste collection.
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