Drone-based water spraying launched to mitigate air pollution

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday launched a pilot project using drones to spray water in the 13 hotspots of the national capital in a bid to mitigate air pollution.

A demonstration of water spraying by drones was conducted at the Anand Vihar hotspot. Rai noted that this pilot project aimed to spray water using drones in places other than roads within the hotspot areas.

The air quality in the national capital continued to remain in the "very poor" category, the 24-hour average air quality index was clocked at 380, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Environment Minister Gopal Rai stated that mobile anti-smog guns were being used to spray water on the roads, but for areas other than roads, a drone water-spraying demonstration was conducted. “If the pilot project is successful, it will help in spraying water in places other than roads within the hotspots.”

“Our aim is to make maximum use of modern technology to combat pollution. Each drone can carry up to 15 litres of water and spray it from above. A report on its effectiveness will be sent to the Environment Department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC),” he added.

Engineers from the Environment Department and DPCC will analyse the data and submit a report to the government, based on which, further steps will be undertaken. “If this project is successful, we will expand the drone spraying to other hotspots as well.”

The 13 hotspots include Narela, Bawana, Mundka, Wazirpur, Rohini, RK Puram, Okhla, Jahangirpuri, Anand Vihar (including Mandoli), Punjabi Bagh, Mayapuri, Dwarka and Ashok Vihar.

He further said that in the Winter Action Plan, one of the major initiatives under this was to reduce pollution at hotspots using drone technology.

“The government has formed 13 coordination teams for this purpose. Eighty mobile anti-smog guns have been installed in hotspot areas to reduce dust pollution. Additionally, the MCD’s Divisional Commissioner has been instructed to regularly visit the hotspots with all relevant officials.”

Moreover, officials from 13 relevant departments are inspecting the ongoing construction sites across Delhi and taking action against the violations of norms, he added. “All teams have been instructed to conduct frequent inspections. Sixty-eight static anti-smog guns have been deployed on roads and in open areas to prevent road dust from spreading.”

Along with this, 200 mobile anti-smog guns have been deployed across 70 Assembly constituencies and hotspots to reduce dust on roads and in open areas. Additionally, 146 anti-smog guns have been installed on top of high-rise buildings.

“Drones equipped with advanced sensors can reach congested urban areas, industrial zones and locations where traditional spraying methods are challenging. Using drones will enable targeted water-spraying actions to reduce pollution sources effectively,” Rai concluded.