On Thursday, Delhi’s Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, inaugurated the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) established by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee. This facility aims to facilitate real-time monitoring of pollution sources throughout the city, utilize AI for data analysis, and oversee the operations of road sweeping vehicles.
As per official statements, the ICCC is situated within the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation IT Park in Shastri Park and is designed to provide immediate information that will inform field operations.
During the winter months, the government plans to deploy 78 teams at the sub-division level for monitoring and enforcement purposes. When a pollution hotspot is detected, the relevant department will be notified to take appropriate action.
The movement of these field teams will be tracked using GPS-enabled vehicles, according to a government announcement.
Gupta emphasized that the initiative goes beyond merely gathering pollution data; it aims to transform technology-driven insights into prompt field actions and tangible results.
At the centre’s launch, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa highlighted that over 700 construction sites exceeding 500 square meters are being monitored through AI and CCTV technology. If there is an increase in PM10 levels at any site, both the relevant department and the site owner will receive alerts.
Sirsa noted that the ICCC will oversee air quality index (AQI) stations across the city, analyze historical data, and investigate local pollution sources, as well as the movements and operations of road sweeping machines.
The pollution control teams, referred to as Vayudoot, will be equipped with body cameras while addressing issues related to road dust, open burning, and violations linked to construction activities.
To enhance the monitoring capabilities of the government’s ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ initiative, Sirsa mentioned that the integration of automatic number plate recognition technology with the command centre is planned.
The government stated that an advanced traffic management system will be implemented to adjust traffic signals in real-time based on current traffic conditions, which will help mitigate congestion and reduce pollution levels.
Additionally, Gupta introduced a ‘Jan Suggestion’ portal, allowing citizens to submit their suggestions, complaints, and pollution-related issues. This platform will enable the authorities to address grievances, consider valuable suggestions, and acknowledge citizen efforts toward pollution reduction.
Sirsa also reported that 7.2 million trees have been planted, exceeding the target of 7 million, as part of the government’s ongoing environmental campaign.
Regarding the use of firecrackers, he reiterated that only green crackers would be permitted in Delhi and urged residents to be mindful of pollution concerns during Diwali celebrations.
