Roads to be Vacuumed Every Week to Curb Pollution: Delhi Govt

“Sustenance of already existing anti-pollution plans and creation of new ideas is much needed,” Deputy CM said.

A smoggy day in Delhi. (Photo: Reuters)

The Delhi government on Tuesday said roads in the capital will be vacuum cleaned every week to check dust and air pollution which has increased post Diwali as toxic matter was released due to setting off of firecrackers.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said all roads falling under the Delhi government's Public Works Department (PWD) would be cleaned through water sprinklers.

This, he told the media, would bring down the dust, a major contributor to pollution.

The vacuum cleaning would start in two weeks and it would be a weekly affair.

Sisodia called for new ideas to curb pollution which has touched serious levels.

Measures are to be taken to control the fuel wastage and pollution which is caused due to auto drivers keeping ignition on. Delhi government along with Municipal Corporation of Delhi will work towards putting chimneys in Delhi’s crematoriums which will help in reducing some pollution. Sustenance of already existing anti-pollution plans and creation of new ideas is much needed.

Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister

He announced that people would now be "able to complain through a mobile application in case of pollution around construction sites."

The government also said it was working on "actionable" subjects to control pollution levels in the city.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain told the media that the Aam Aadmi Party government was concerned over the increasing levels of air pollution.

He said Diwali and burning paddy fields in Punjab and Haryana had contributed to the pollution levels in the capital.

"It is a combined effect in Delhi of the fires burning in Haryana and Punjab," the minister said.