In response to mounting criticism from the opposition over escalating pollution in the national capital, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced that he has instructed the reinstatement of operations for the city’s sole smog tower at Connaught Place.
The smog tower had ceased functioning after personnel responsible for its operation “locked it” due to unpaid December 2023 salaries and the absence of a written job guarantee from the Delhi government.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday, the Delhi Environment Minister stated, “There were some issues, such as the non-payment of wages to employees, because of which the smog tower was rendered non-functional. However, complying with the Supreme Court, I have now directed the tower to be made functional again.”
On Monday, Rai penned a letter to the principal secretary of the environment, instructing the release of outstanding payments to personnel working at the smog tower.
Rai’s letter outlined the background of the smog tower at Connaught Place, stating that it was installed by DPC on the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter titled MC. Mehta vs. Union of India in 2020 and commenced operations in August 2021.
The smog tower was conceptualized as a scientific R & D project among various solutions to address Delhi’s seasonal pollution problem. To ensure the project’s smooth operation, an MOU was entered between DPC, NBCC, and TATA Projects, according to Rai’s explanation. “The operation of the Smog Tower was earlier arbitrarily stopped by the DPCC Chairman in August 2023 by stopping the release of O & M funds for the second year.
