Delhi Government Trials Drone-Operated Mist Spraying to Tackle Pollution

The drones used in the trial are equipped with the ability to carry up to 15 liters of water, which is then released as a fine mist. This mist helps to manage and mitigate airborne pollutants, with a specific focus on densely populated and difficult-to-access areas where traditional methods of pollution control may not be effective. The innovative use of drones offers a practical solution to address the challenges of controlling pollution in areas that are often congested and hard to reach by conventional means.

As part of its ongoing efforts to tackle the escalating air pollution in the capital, the Delhi government carried out a test of the ‘drone-based mist spraying’ technique at Anand Vihar, one of the city’s most notorious pollution hotspots. The goal of the trial was to assess the feasibility of using drones as a method of pollution control in areas with high levels of airborne particulate matter. During the test, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai pointed out that pollution levels in hotspots such as Anand Vihar are consistently higher than the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI), indicating the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat the pollution crisis.

“Today’s demonstration at Anand Vihar a known pollution hotspot aims to address this issue,” Rai said.

“Pollution levels are elevated at 13 hotspots across Delhi, and this pilot project allows us to test drone-based mist spraying in areas where conventional anti-smog guns can’t reach,” the minister said.

The drones deployed in this trial are specifically engineered to carry up to 15 liters of water, which they release as a finely dispersed mist. This mist is carefully designed to target and neutralize airborne pollutants, offering a new and efficient way to combat air pollution. The drones are particularly useful for areas that are densely populated or hard to access, where traditional methods of pollution control, such as manual spraying or ground-based machinery, may struggle to reach or effectively cover the space. This innovative approach allows for more precise and widespread coverage in locations that are otherwise challenging to address, offering a promising solution to improving air quality in congested urban environments.

A detailed report on the effectiveness of the drone-based mist spraying will be submitted to both the environment department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to determine the next steps, Minister Rai confirmed. He also noted that this pilot project is part of the larger Winter Action Plan, which was introduced on September 25 and outlines 21 key measures aimed at managing pollution levels during the winter season.

As part of these efforts, drone technology is being explored as a modern solution to target pollution hotspots that traditional spraying methods are unable to reach effectively.

Rai further emphasized that tailored action plans have been developed for 13 of Delhi’s most polluted areas, where 13 dedicated coordination teams will focus on addressing localized pollution sources. Additionally, 80 mobile anti-smog guns and 68 stationary anti-smog guns have been deployed across these hotspots to control dust on the roads and in open spaces.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been directed to ramp up inspections in these areas, with officials from 13 different departments actively overseeing construction sites throughout the city to ensure adherence to anti-pollution regulations, Rai stated.

Additionally, he highlighted that 200 mobile anti-smog guns are now deployed across all 70 Assembly constituencies in the capital. Furthermore, 146 anti-smog guns have been strategically installed on the rooftops of high-rise buildings to combat airborne dust.

“Drone technology offers a valuable approach to target and control pollution sources, especially in dense urban spaces and industrial areas where traditional spraying isn’t feasible,” Rai said.

“If successful, this pilot will pave the way for broader deployment of drones to combat pollution throughout the capital,” he added.

At the same time, Delhi’s air quality continues to worsen, with over 15 monitoring stations currently recording AQI levels in the “severe” range.

Based on AQI classifications, the scale is as follows: 0-50 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and 401-500 ‘severe’.

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