New Delhi, 01 October (H.S.): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday inaugurated the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) at the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) IT Park in Shastri Park under the Seva Sankalp campaign.

The state-of-the-art centre will enable real-time monitoring of various sources of pollution in Delhi, AI-based analysis, integration of complaint and field-inspection data, and improved coordination among concerned departments. Its objective is not merely to collect pollution-related data, but to convert technology-driven information into swift field action and measurable outcomes.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government’s focus in tackling Delhi’s pollution challenge is not limited to monitoring alone. She said its priority is to integrate technology, data and field enforcement to ensure prompt action. Through the ICCC, pollution hotspots, violations of regulations and various sources of pollution can be identified rapidly, after which the information can be relayed to the concerned departments to ensure action on the ground.

She said the guiding principle of the entire system is “Detect, Analyse, Act, Verify” — identifying the problem, analysing it, taking immediate action and verifying the outcome. The Delhi government is making continuous efforts against pollution throughout the year, on a 24x7 basis. Work is being undertaken simultaneously on all major sources of pollution, including mechanical road sweeping, dust control, smog guns, mist spraying, monitoring of construction sites, expansion of green cover, clean transportation and electric mobility.

The Chief Minister said real-time information generated by the ICCC would be directly linked with field-level action. Once a pollution hotspot is identified, the concerned department can be alerted for action, while the movement of field teams can also be monitored through GPS-enabled vehicles. During the winter season this year, 78 sub-division-level teams will be engaged in monitoring and enforcement activities through the centre. This will establish a direct link between problems identified through technology and action taken on the ground.

The Chief Minister said field surveillance is being integrated with technology to effectively control pollution caused by road dust, open waste burning and construction activities. Pollution-generating activities will be identified and acted upon through ‘Vayudoot’ teams, while their body cameras will be connected to the command centre, enabling real-time monitoring of field activities. Mechanical road-sweeping machines operating in Delhi have also been equipped with GPS. Through the ICCC, the location of the machines, cleaning of designated areas, distance covered and operating hours can be monitored. This will further strengthen transparency, accountability and time-bound action in sanitation and pollution-control operations.

Referring to the ‘Jan Suggestion’ portal launched during the programme, the Chief Minister said strengthening public participation in pollution-control efforts is also a priority for the government. Citizens will be able to share their suggestions, complaints, pollution-related concerns and information about positive initiatives undertaken to reduce pollution through the portal. Action can be taken on complaints received, useful suggestions can be incorporated into the system, and constructive efforts by citizens towards pollution control can also be documented and encouraged.

On the occasion, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said a state-of-the-art 24x7 ICCC had been established to strengthen the fight against pollution and that it had been completed ahead of the stipulated six-month deadline. He said more than 700 construction sites with an area of over 500 square metres are being monitored live through AI and CCTV, and the concerned department and site owner will be alerted immediately if PM10 levels rise.

He said the ICCC would monitor all AQI stations in Delhi, data from previous years, local pollution sources, as well as the location, routes and operations of road-sweeping machines. New cameras will monitor open waste and biomass burning, while body cameras have been made mandatory for DPCC officials conducting inspections of industries and polluting sites to ensure transparency and accountability in enforcement action.

The Environment Minister said public participation is crucial in controlling pollution. Through the ‘Jan Suggestion’ portal launched by the Chief Minister, suggestions are being invited from citizens, and those making notable contributions will be recognised. Against a target of 7 million trees, 7.2 million trees have already been planted, and the campaign is continuing. He said the government’s objective is to control pollution through public participation and avoid a situation such as GRAP Stage IV.

Officials and staff will be deployed at the ICCC around the clock in shifts, with facilities including food arrangements, a kitchen, pantry, mess and bunk beds available for them.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar