The Delhi government is arming itself up with more anti-smog guns (ASGs) to combat pollution. ASG was first tested back in 2017. Since then, many have been installed at key locations.

Anti-smog gun is a device that spews fine nebulised water droplets into the atmosphere so that the smallest dust and polluted particles are absorbed. The gun is connected to a water tank which is mounted on a vehicle. It is designed in such a way that it converts the water into a fine spray with droplets size of 50-100 microns by passing it through high-pressure propellers.

The Public Works Department is also rolling out more vehicle-mounted anti-smog guns this year than it did last year. There are 120 anti-smog guns on hire that are running on roads between 8 am and 8 pm, and 30 more will be added by the end of the week, said a PWD official. The vehicles that are being used to mount the anti-smog guns are either CNG or BS-VI engines, the official added.

Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said anti-smog guns are now mandatory for all construction sites in Delhi with an area over 5,000sqm, with one such device to be installed for every increase in 5,000sqm of area.