Delhi adds 49 new pollution hot spots, steps up field action

Delhi government has expanded its list of critical pollution hot spots from 13 to 62 high-dust and high-traffic points, all of which are now under continuous monitoring as part of intensified winter pollution-control efforts, environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Saturday.

- Snehil Sinha

However, the government has not yet released the comprehensive list identifying all 62 hot spots.

Officials said the new hot spots were identified based on congestion patterns, dust-load assessments, and road conditions. "For several years, Delhi has been counting only 13 hot spots, which were never relooked at. We have now identified 62 more pollution hot spots with help from the traffic police. These are areas with high dust accumulation, mostly because of congestion, vehicular load and the bad condition of these roads. We are taking focused action in all these areas," Sirsa said.