New Delhi: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav undertook a detailed review of the Delhi government’s action plan to tackle air pollution across the National Capital Region, stressing long-term, structural interventions over short-term measures.
The review meeting, held as part of the annual monitoring mechanism, assessed progress on key pollution control measures and identified gaps in implementation. Yadav congratulated Delhi government officials and implementing agencies for their sustained efforts to contain air pollution, while underlining the need for stricter enforcement and coordinated action across NCR states.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (EFCC), Shri Bhupender Yadav chaired a high-level meeting to undertake a detailed review of the Action Plans. Credit: PIB
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Recalling the enactment of a dedicated law in 2021 and the constitution of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Minister said that identification of the Delhi-NCR airshed has helped pinpoint pollution sources across the region. He noted that air pollution in the NCR is driven by a combination of human activities and meteorological factors, and cautioned against reliance on quick fixes.
On vehicular pollution, Yadav emphasised smart traffic management at 62 identified congestion hotspots, strict action against polluting vehicles and smoother traffic flow. Measures discussed included a special registration drive, installation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems at border entry points, and exploring staggered office timings to reduce peak-hour congestion. Incentivisation of electric vehicles, faster expansion of charging infrastructure, congestion charges, smart parking management and a uniform vehicle registration policy for the NCR were also taken up, with the Minister stressing the importance of behavioural change and public participation.
Reviewing industrial pollution, the meeting noted that 227 of the 240 industrial estates in the NCR have shifted to PNG. However, unplanned industrial development outside designated estates continues to pose a challenge. Yadav directed strict action against illegal and non-conforming units, including sealing wherever required. The Central Pollution Control Board informed that notices have been issued to 88 industrial units for failure to install Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS), and that closure action against these units will commence from January 23, 2026.
The meeting also reviewed construction and demolition (C&D) waste management, with emphasis on earmarking C&D waste sites, halting demolition activities during peak pollution periods and tying up with recycler associations for scientific disposal. A C&D waste processing plant at Tehkhand is expected to become operational within the year.
Progress on the installation of flue gas desulphurisation units in thermal power plants within a 10-km radius of Delhi and mandatory utilisation of five per cent crop residue in TPPs was also reviewed.
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On road dust control, the Minister stressed end-to-end paving, plantation of local shrub varieties in mission mode, and large-scale greening drives involving the Eco Task Force, NCC, NSS and youth clubs to curb PM10 pollution. Over 3,300 km of roads in Delhi are planned to be redeveloped in the coming year with integrated dust abatement and traffic management. Mechanised road-sweeping machines, excluding diesel-based units, will be deployed widely under an Op-Ex model, along with handheld vacuum machines for smaller roads. Road maintenance contracts may mandate pothole repair within 72 hours, with accountability for recurring damage.
Yadav also highlighted the need to strengthen end-to-end public transport through accelerated expansion of the Delhi Metro and city bus services, supported by improved last-mile connectivity under an integrated transport plan for NCR cities. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation presented its expansion roadmap, while the Delhi Transport Department informed that orders have been placed with CESL for 3,350 electric buses against a planned induction of 14,000 buses. These buses will be integrated with the Metro network to improve connectivity in residential, commercial and high-density areas. Pilot integration of e-autos, bike taxis and feeder cabs at 10 major Metro stations is planned by January 31, 2026.
Progress on legacy waste remediation was reviewed, with timelines reiterated for Okhla by July 2026, Bhalswa by October 2026 and Ghazipur by December 2027. Waste collection centres are to be set up in a 5×5 km grid, app-based collection services explored, and facilities to process 4,600 metric tonnes of fresh municipal solid waste targeted for completion by September 2027. Waste-to-energy plants at identified locations are expected to be completed by September 2026.
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CAQM informed that a scientific source apportionment study has been initiated from January 2026 through TERI, IIT Delhi, IITM Pune and ARAI. It was also pointed out that, excluding the COVID lockdown year, 2025 recorded the best AQI levels since 2018, indicating steady improvement in the NCR’s air quality. The meeting stressed the need for an intensive information, education and communication campaign and a coordinated, target-based action plan by all NCR governments, which is expected to result in a 15–20 per cent improvement in AQI levels by the end of the year.
(Cover Image Credit: CANVA)
