Delhi Spends ₹100 Crore on 1,000 Anti-Smog Guns

The Delhi government has approved spending ₹100 crore for 1,000 truck-mounted anti-smog guns. Officials told reporters the machines will operate during winter months over a three-year period.

This initiative represents a major expansion of the city's existing fleet. At present, the Public Works Department operates just over 200 such devices. The new plan, submitted to the Commission for Air Quality Management, calls for the guns to be deployed on designated PWD roads from September to June each year between 2026 and 2029.

How the anti-smog guns will operate

The truck-mounted devices spray a fine mist of water. The aim is to suppress dust on roads in a manner similar to rain. An official explained that contractors, not the PWD, will own and operate the vehicles using the allocated funds, which cover all costs including fuel.

Each vehicle will be fitted with GPS for tracking. Duty logs detailing the roads covered must be maintained. The machines will also carry displays showing environmental messages. Officials stated the exact daily routes and kilometres are still being finalized, but the trucks are expected to run in two 12-hour shifts.

Limited scope and unproven efficacy

The operation will be confined to PWD roads wider than 18 metres. These roads constitute only about 4% of Delhi's total road network. The government says the focus is on dust suppression and maintaining these specific stretches through regular water spraying.

However, the Hindustan Times report notes there is little to no evidence that such anti-smog guns actually work to improve air quality. The official plan describes their dust-control function as, at least, "notional."

Expansion of existing measures

Delhi's existing pollution control infrastructure includes the 200 anti-smog guns already operated by the PWD. The department has also installed 350 mist poles at locations with high vehicular movement and dust pollution, according to the city's Economic Survey.

The new procurement aims to ensure continuous spraying on allocated routes, with vehicles making multiple rounds per day. The government's submission to the air quality commission is part of broader efforts to address the capital's severe seasonal pollution.

Officials provided the details on Tuesday, citing the formal plan. The first devices under this new three-year scheme are expected to be deployed starting next week.