📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Weather
Delhi rolls out 'heating spots' and signal‑free roads in winter pollution plan
✍️ India Today
🗓 29 Sep 2026, 08:32 PM
👁 18
The Delhi government announced new winter measures, including designated heating zones and the removal of traffic signals on key corridors to curb smog.
The Delhi administration unveiled a set of fresh interventions aimed at tackling the city’s notorious winter smog. Officials said the plan targets the most polluted months, when stagnant air and widespread use of solid‑fuel heaters push particulate levels to hazardous highs.
One of the flagship steps is the creation of "heating spots" – clearly marked zones in densely populated neighborhoods where residents may safely operate electric or low‑emission heating devices. The government will monitor compliance and provide subsidies for approved appliances to discourage the use of traditional coal or wood burners.
In parallel, the traffic department will convert several high‑traffic arterial routes into signal‑free corridors. By removing traffic lights and synchronising flow through round‑abouts and intelligent traffic‑management systems, the city hopes to reduce idling times, lower vehicular emissions and improve overall mobility during peak winter hours.
Authorities project that these combined actions could cut ambient PM2.5 concentrations by up to 15 % compared with previous winter seasons. The measures will be rolled out in phases starting early December, with regular performance reviews scheduled throughout the season.
One of the flagship steps is the creation of "heating spots" – clearly marked zones in densely populated neighborhoods where residents may safely operate electric or low‑emission heating devices. The government will monitor compliance and provide subsidies for approved appliances to discourage the use of traditional coal or wood burners.
In parallel, the traffic department will convert several high‑traffic arterial routes into signal‑free corridors. By removing traffic lights and synchronising flow through round‑abouts and intelligent traffic‑management systems, the city hopes to reduce idling times, lower vehicular emissions and improve overall mobility during peak winter hours.
Authorities project that these combined actions could cut ambient PM2.5 concentrations by up to 15 % compared with previous winter seasons. The measures will be rolled out in phases starting early December, with regular performance reviews scheduled throughout the season.