Delhi Mandates Anti-Smog Guns for High-Rise Buildings to Combat Air Pollution 2025

The Delhi government announced that it would mandate installation of rooftop anti-smog guns for all high-rise commercial, institutional, and hospitality buildings as part of its comprehensive 2025 action plan to improve urban air quality. The directive targets buildings that are ground plus five floors or taller, approximately 45 metres in height, with built-up areas exceeding 3,000 square metres.

Six-Month Compliance Window for Building Owners

Property owners have been given a six-month deadline to install the required equipment, with the installation likely to be completed by the end of November 2025. The mandate applies specifically to malls, hotels, office blocks, and institutional buildings, while residential buildings remain excluded from the requirement. The equipment would remain operational year-round except during the monsoon period from June 15 to October 1.

Technical Specifications and Installation Requirements

The government has outlined specific equipment requirements based on building size. Buildings with built-up areas between 3,000 and 10,000 square metres must install a minimum of three anti-smog guns. For every additional 5,000 square metres beyond 10,000, one extra gun must be added, with the requirement extending up to six guns for buildings measuring 20,001 to 25,000 square metres.

The anti-smog guns must meet stringent technical specifications, including a spray range of 75 to 100 metres and droplet sizes between 5 and 20 microns. Water usage has been capped at approximately 10,000 litres per day to ensure sustainable operation.

Strategic Implementation Under Broader Air Quality Plan

This initiative forms part of the comprehensive Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025-26, which includes the deployment of 1,000 fixed sprinklers and 140 mobile anti-smog guns across the city. The mandate aligns with GRAP Stage I measures currently in effect, which also encompass intensified use of anti-smog equipment, stricter vehicle emission controls, and bans on diesel generators.

The rooftop deployment on parapets is designed to operate during mornings and evenings when PM2.5 and PM10 levels typically peak. Real estate developers are increasingly focusing on environmental compliance as regulatory requirements become more stringent across Indian cities.

Industry Impact and Effectiveness Concerns

The targeted pollution control strategy deploys technology at locations where dust and particulate matter exposure levels are highest. The visible intervention demonstrates government accountability through enforceable mandates and quarterly compliance monitoring systems.

However, experts have raised questions about the long-term effectiveness of technology-heavy solutions like smog towers and guns, emphasizing that they need to be supported by comprehensive source control measures. Energy-efficient real estate developments are becoming increasingly important as cities implement stricter environmental regulations.

Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement

The Delhi government plans to implement quarterly compliance monitoring to ensure building owners adhere to the new requirements. This enforcement mechanism is designed to maintain consistent operation of the anti-smog equipment and maximize its effectiveness in reducing urban air pollution levels.

The initiative represents a proactive approach to urban air quality management, though sustainable luxury homes and green building practices continue to gain importance as long-term solutions to environmental challenges in the real estate sector.