Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) will install water mist systems on 1,000 streetlights across the city as part of a targeted effort to tackle worsening air pollution. The measure is intended to reduce suspended particulate matter and to improve ambient air quality in high-traffic and densely inhabited locations.

The systems will disperse a fine mist to capture dust and particulates and to promote deposition on surfaces rather than remaining suspended in the air, and they will be mounted on existing streetlight infrastructure to limit the need for new poles. Operation is expected during hours of peak pollution and in response to episodes of poor air quality, with scheduling calibrated to local conditions and weather patterns. Maintenance and water supply logistics will form a core component of implementation planning to ensure sustained performance.

The rollout of the devices on 1,000 streetlights will provide a visible mitigation presence across arterial roads and selected residential neighbourhoods, and it will be coordinated with municipal sanitation and traffic departments to maximise coverage and minimise disruption. The PWD will rely on technical teams to oversee installation, to integrate the systems with power sources where required, and to set protocols for automatic or manual activation. The initiative is intended to complement existing dust suppression and vehicular emission reduction programmes rather than to serve as a standalone solution.

Authorities will monitor the effectiveness of the installations through air quality measurements and operational reviews and will adjust deployment and maintenance strategies on the basis of observed outcomes and resource availability. Community awareness and periodic reporting are expected to support transparency and to inform subsequent scaling decisions. The project reflects an incremental approach to urban air quality management and to practical adaptations of street infrastructure for environmental benefit.