Delhi’s NDMC Launches ₹15 Crore Misting Drive to Combat Dust Pollution on 24 Major Roads, ETInfra

The new project will be executed in two phases and is part of broader measures planned to control dust pollutionThe New Delhi Municipal Council proposes to install mist spraying systems on 24 roads at an estimated cost of ₹15 crore. The proposal will be presented at the upcoming meeting of NDMC.

Among the roads proposed to be misted are Shahjahan Road, Prithvi Raj Road, Mansingh Road, Peshwa Road, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Aurobindo Marg, Mother Teresa Marg, Motilal Nehru Marg, Rama Krishna Marg, Bhai Veer Singh Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road.

Inspired by the successful implementation of misting systems on streetlights on Lodhi Road, the new project will be executed in two phases and is part of broader measures planned to control dust pollution in the winter when air pollution usually spikes.

“Delhi Development Authority first installed mist fogging systems on a road in Dwarka, which was inaugurated by lieutenant governor VK Saxena. After visiting the site, NDMC officials replicated the system on Lodhi Road and the performance of the system was found excellent for reducing air pollution,” NDMC claimed, while tabling the proposal for administrative approval and sanction of costs. “At a senior officer’s meeting, the competent authority was directed to take up such a project on other roads.”

Thereafter, a survey was carried out on all avenue roads under NDMC and 14 roads were identified in Phase II. These roads with a cumulative length of 12.7km were those where pollutants and dust were found to be on the higher side. Earlier, 10 roads of a total length of 11.8km had been similarly treated in Phase I.

“The project will involve supplying, testing and commissioning of an automatic misting system,” NDMC said. “The mist system significantly improves air quality by reducing particulate matter, helps in dust suppression suspended in the environment, reduces airborne pollutants, increases ambient humidity to make the atmosphere more comfortable, and reduces discomfort by excessive dryness.” The project will also include maintenance and operation of these roads for a period of one year.

In March, NDMC launched the pilot for installing mist sprayers on electricity poles. Fifteen sprayers were put up along a 500-metre section of Lodhi Road. These mostly operated from 8 AM to 11 AM and from 5.30 PM to 7.30 PM each day.

Experts, however, aren’t so sure about the efficacy of such spraying. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), Centre for Science and Environment, said mist sprayers only had a temporary effect on dust pollution. “The dust particles get suspended in the air again once the wetted soil dries,” she pointed out.

Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari said sprays could be useful in dust-heavy zones but provided short-term relief. She also said their effectiveness was “limited, especially when it comes to PM2.5, the tiny particles that pose the greatest health risks”.

Kandhari told TOI, “Several studies indicate that water-based dust suppression has a marginal impact on fine particulate matter, which is Delhi’s primary health hazard.” She added that without comprehensive data from the Lodhi Road pilot, such as reductions in AQI or particulate matter levels, the scalability of this measure was questionable.

• Published On Aug 28, 2025 at 12:05 PM IST

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