Delhi launches AI control centre to track pollution sources round the clock

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday attended the launch of a control centre set up to monitor pollution sources across the city, with a focus on construction sites. The Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee will also oversee mechanical road sweepers and enforcement activity.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the centre will track activities across Delhi and help authorities respond to rising pollution levels. He said 707 sites are currently under watch and that the centre will function round the clock in three shifts.

Sirsa said construction sites spread over more than 500 square metres will be monitored through the system, while cameras will also be used to detect incidents of open burning.

The minister added the centre will monitor all air quality stations and analyse current as well as historical pollution data to identify areas where pollution is rising and decide whether steps such as mechanical road sweeping and water sprinkling are needed.

"All activities happening inside Delhi are being monitored" at the centre, Sirsa said.

He added that officials inspecting polluting industries and other sites will be equipped with body cameras to track whether they are present at the locations and whether any action has been taken.

Gupta said the ICCC will provide 24-hour surveillance of pollution sources. "AI-driven cameras are being used here, and our mechanical sweeping machinery can also be monitored via GPS from here," she said.

Sirsa said monitoring of the government’s 'No PUC, No Fuel' initiative will be strengthened by linking automatic number plate recognition cameras with the command centre. He said an intelligent traffic management system will help regulate traffic signals in real time, with red and green light durations adjusted according to traffic flow to help reduce vehicular pollution.

On firecrackers, Sirsa said only green crackers will be allowed to be brought to Delhi. He also appealed to residents to keep pollution concerns in mind while celebrating Diwali. Overall, the new centre is intended to give the government continuous oversight of pollution sources, enforcement action and traffic-linked measures across the city.- Ends