New Delhi, January 10 – Delhi’s only smog tower, situated at Connaught Place, is set to resume operations, announced Environment Minister Gopal Rai. The tower had stopped functioning after its personnel locked it due to non-payment of salaries for December 2023 and the absence of a written job guarantee from the Delhi government. Minister Rai assured reporters that he has now issued an order for the tower to be made functional again, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive. He also stated that outstanding payments to the tower’s staff have been instructed to be released by the principal secretary of Environment.
The smog tower at Connaught Place was installed on the orders of the Supreme Court in August 2021, as a part of an array of solutions aimed at combating the seasonal pollution problem in Delhi. It was conceptualized as a scientific research and development project. However, the tower’s operations were arbitrarily halted by the DPCC Chairman in August 2023. This action, carried out against the decision of the Council of Ministers, exposed the government of NCTD to the possibility of being charged with contempt of court. Following the intervention of the Supreme Court in November 2023, the smog tower was eventually restarted.
Minister Rai expressed concern over recent reports stating that work on the smog tower had once again been suspended due to non-payment of salaries. He emphasized that this neglect of duties by the DPCC, which was mandated by the Supreme Court to ensure the continued operation of the tower as recently as November 2023, amounts to contempt of court. The timing of the tower’s shutdown is disconcerting, given that air pollution levels in Delhi are still classified as ‘very poor.’
The resumption of the smog tower’s functioning is expected to be a significant step towards mitigating pollution in Delhi. The tower’s ability to reduce pollutants and improve air quality has been hailed by experts in the past. Restoring the tower to full operation will contribute to the ongoing efforts to tackle the pressing issue of air pollution, which poses severe health risks for the city’s residents.
The ruling AAP government has been under increasing scrutiny from the opposition due to the alarming levels of pollution in the national capital. The decision to restart the smog tower demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing the issue and finding sustainable solutions to combat pollution in Delhi. By taking this step, the Delhi Environment Minister aims to alleviate concerns and ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for the city’s inhabitants.
