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In his first 100 days as Delhi’s Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa has rolled out a series of measures — from cloud seeding and mandatory anti-smog guns to landfill flattening and real-time pollution tracking dashboards — aimed at tackling the Capital’s chronic pollution woes. In an interview with The Indian Express, he outlines the government’s aggressive push to make Delhi cleaner, greener, and future-ready. Excerpts:
What have been the key achievements in the first 100 days?
One of our most significant steps has been securing Cabinet approval for the use of more than a thousand water sprinklers across Delhi. Apart from this, 70 new mechanical road sweepers will be brought in to clean all Public Works Department (PWD) roads, for which tenders will be floated shortly. Another critical move is the long-awaited cloud seeding initiative for artificial rain. The first trial is expected by the end of June.
We’ve also mandated that all high-rise buildings install anti-smog guns. With around 3,000 such buildings, particularly offices with heavy traffic, this could significantly cut pollution at the source. Moreover, from December onwards, only Bharat Stage VI (BS VI) compliant clean-energy vehicles will be permitted in Delhi.
To restrict the entry of end-of-life vehicles from neighbouring states, we’ve installed monitoring cameras and issued pre-emptive notices.
Another major step is the creation of a real-time dashboard in my office. Buildings over 500 square meters must install AQI meters and register with us to ensure compliance with 14 dust-mitigation norms.
In forest areas, we’ve made electric vehicles mandatory to protect trees, greenery, and wildlife.
But the most ambitious measure has been our push to clear Delhi’s landfills. Flattening these mountains of garbage within the next 2 to 2.5 years will be our biggest achievement —something generally considered impossible.
How does the government plan to address Delhi’s landfill problem?
I am personally monitoring the progress through monthly reports. The department is also sending monthly reports to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta; she is also monitoring them closely. In the next year, we aim to reduce the height of garbage mounds by one-third from 60 meters to 20 meters. Within 2 to 2.5 years, we plan to completely flatten them.
It is our promise to the people of the city that Delhi’s landfills will be like dinosaurs... the next generation will never see such mountains of garbage ever.
Plans for tackling air and ammoniacal pollution in the winter?
We’re already in the planning stage. It’s a complex issue and will require close monitoring as those months approach.
Cleaning the Yamuna was a major poll promise. What steps are being taken to prevent illegal waste dumping into the river?
We’re decentralising the sewage network and strictly enforcing laws to prevent raw sewage from entering the Yamuna. A third-party audit of all existing STPs is underway to assess capacity, efficiency, and future needs. The Haryana government is cooperating, which is encouraging.
Have project delays due to multi-agency coordination been a challenge?
Absolutely. Many projects face delays because of overlapping jurisdictions and coordination issues. It’s a complex system, but we’re navigating it.
Is the government equipped for the upcoming monsoon season?
This is our first year, and challenges will remain. Despite challenges, we have ensured there are no persistent waterlogging issues anymore. Any incidents that are brought to our notice are handled immediately and resolved within 30 minutes.
Are there active discussions with the Haryana and Punjab governments on environmental concerns?
Yes. I’ve had recent discussions with Haryana CM Nayab Saini, and we will soon engage with the Punjab government as well. We don’t view anyone as an outsider—we’re all in this together.
Several trees were uprooted during recent storms. How are you addressing this?
We have drafted an SOP, which has been approved by the High Court. These ensure that dangerous trees can be removed legally and promptly, while unauthorised felling is strictly penalised. For the removal of fewer than 50 trees, individuals can approach local tree officers directly. The SOP is both strict and flexible, protecting nature while responding to practical concerns, which will be a major relief to many.
Experts have pointed out delays in tapping drains like Najafgarh and Shahdara. How are you tackling this?
Tapping alone won’t solve the problem. To clean the Yamuna, we need to ensure that treated water, not polluted runoff, enters the river. The focus is on ensuring that only STP-treated water flows through major drains like Najafgarh and Shahdara into the Yamuna. That’s the only long-term solution.
