Hotel Industry Must Partner in Delhi’s Anti-Pollution Efforts; Government to Extend Full Support: CM Rekha Gupta

New Delhi, 10 December 2025 : In a major step towards controlling air pollution in Delhi, Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta has urged hotel and restaurant owners to install mist spray systems on the rooftops of their establishments. The Chief Minister said that this system would not only help effectively reduce pollution but also significantly lower water consumption. She added that if large establishments such as hotels and restaurants adopt modern technologies like mist spray systems, the government will extend full support to them.

The Chief Minister made this appeal today at the inauguration of the ‘Viksit Delhi–Viksit Tourism & Hospitality’ Summit. The summit was organised by associations connected with the hotel and restaurant industry. The Chief Minister said that the government is continuously taking effective measures to combat rising pollution, and participation from the private sector has now become essential.

She added that if large establishments such as hotels and restaurants adopt modern technologies like mist fogging, it will greatly help improve the air quality in the capital. The Chief Minister informed that mist spray systems have already been introduced in some key areas of Delhi, and there are plans to expand them to other regions as well.

The Chief Minister said that the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) currently requires every high-rise building to install anti-smog guns. However, complaints have surfaced that these guns are expensive, very heavy, occupy a large space, and consume excessive water. She said that the government is keen for large buildings to adopt mist spray systems, which have the added benefit of operating effectively in all directions. The water sprayed through this system is also considered environmentally friendly for plants and trees.

The Chief Minister said that the government will amend DPCC regulations so that high-rise building owners do not face increased financial burden, while ensuring effective control over pollution in Delhi. She emphasised that the government aims to develop Delhi as a clean, green and environmentally sensitive capital that offers a pollution-free atmosphere for tourists from across the country and around the world.

The Chief Minister said that the Delhi Government has been implementing serious reforms to promote the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Ease of Doing Business’. As part of this, the mandatory requirement of police licensing has been removed, providing major relief to the industry.

In addition, reforms have been introduced in the fire licensing process, including the implementation of third-party audits to expedite the clearing of pending applications. Efforts to simplify the multiple licensing systems across various departments are also progressing rapidly. The government aims to provide the hotel and restaurant industry with simple, transparent and speedy processes through a single-window system. The summit is an important platform to position Delhi as a leading destination on the global tourism map, to empower the hospitality industry and to boost investment.

The Chief Minister said that this summit represents Delhi’s new journey, with the prime goal of developing the capital as an “International Tourism and Hospitality Capital”. She added that Delhi is not only the capital of India but also the finest blend of cultural heritage, history, cuisine and modernity. “We must bring it into the league of the world’s best tourist destinations,” she said.

The hotel and restaurant industry welcomed the Chief Minister’s initiative and agreed to adopt the mist fogging technology. Representatives of hotel associations said that they wish to participate in the government’s efforts towards environmental protection and will implement this system in a phased manner across their establishments. The association officials said that this technology will not only help reduce pollution but will also significantly reduce water usage, providing dual benefits for environmental conservation. The Chief Minister appealed to the hotel industry to treat pollution control as a social responsibility and play an active role in making Delhi a clean, safe and healthy capital.