The Public Works Department has formed two committees to inspect 200 truck-mounted anti-smog guns as air quality worsens in the national capital, news agency Press Trust of India reported, citing officials.The equipment will be deployed under a pollution-control plan to reduce dust on roads, at construction sites and in other areas. The move follows Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's recent direction to strengthen monitoring ahead of winter.The two committees, comprising eight PWD officials, will inspect the anti-smog guns and ensure that they are functioning properly."No vehicle will be permitted to be installed, operated or deployed unless its fitness is certified by the committees constituted under the order.

The committees will conduct field-level inspections in accordance with the terms and conditions of the tender and verify the equipment within their respective jurisdictions," the order said. The department has made physical inspection and functional verification mandatory for every anti-smog gun.PWD plans to launch a special drive for intensive cleaning and dust control across its 1,400-km road network, officials told PTI.

Under the plan, each of the 200 anti-smog guns will be used to clean at least 200 metres of road every day. "The activities include removal of dust from road areas, cleaning of kerb channels and bell mouths, debris removal, and coordination with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi," officials said.An anti-smog gun sprays fine water droplets to settle dust and other particles suspended in the air. Mounted on a vehicle fitted with a water tank, it can spray water up to a height of 50 metres to settle dust and PM2.5 particles.The committees will oversee inspections in PWD's Shahdara, East, North-East, Project, South, South-East and South-West circles.The department has directed executive engineers in all road maintenance divisions to arrange field inspections immediately, coordinate with the committees and assist in verifying the anti-smog guns in their respective areas.The inspections are intended to ensure that all 200 anti-smog guns are fit for deployment as PWD steps up road cleaning and dust-control measures across the capital ahead of winter.- Ends