Chairing a high-level review meeting on Air Pollution in Delhi NCR today, Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, asked all concerned State/UT authorities to expedite the on-ground implementation of all decisions taken in previous five meetings, to improve Air Quality in Delhi-NCR. Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest and Wildlife, Government of NCT of Delhi, Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa was present during the meeting.

Reviewing each action-point minutely, Shri Yadav emphasized the need for high-quality implementation of action plans in Delhi-NCR across all identified categories. The areas included accelerated Road Development and Repair, Dust Control by ensuring end-to-end pavements, Construction and Demolition Waste Management, Industry compliance to Emission Standards, Smart Traffic Management, boosting Public Transport, legacy Solid Waste Management, and Greening of open spaces.

The Minister requested each stakeholder to prepare detailed Annual Action Plans for the coming year, to control pollution generation at source. He further stressed time-bound execution of the plans, by way of achieving monthly and weekly targets. The year-long roadmaps would ensure proactive planning toward improving air quality in the NCR, he noted. Shri Yadav also directed that on-ground review meetings would soon be held to ensure that the action plans are being implemented in the right earnest. The meetings, coordinated by the CAQM, would include discussions with Agriculture Departments of Governments of Punjab and Haryana on stubble burning; with Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on new initiatives for planned urban development; with local bodies of NCR cities on tackling local contributors of pollution.

During the meeting, issues were taken up one-by-one and the progress was reviewed. On the issue of Industry’s compliance to emission standards in Delhi-NCR, a decision was taken that delinquent units would be handheld to encourage them to voluntarily initiate accelerated installment of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) and Air Pollution Control Devices (APCD). Strict actions would be taken against units failing to comply by 31.12.2025, even leading to closure directions. Further, it was informed that escalations in the market prices of such devices are being closely monitored, so as to not discourage industrial units and delay device installations.

Around 2,254 industrial units having high potential for causing pollution like metal, textiles, food/ food processing and other red-category industries have been mandated to install calibrated and verified OCEMS, along with APCDs by 31.12.2025. An SOP for OCEMS installation has been issued, and directions have been given to NCR SPCBs/PCCs for ensuring early installation, it was informed by CPCB.

The Minister reviewed Road Development works, including pothole repairs, and instructed NCR States to strictly adopt time-bound SOPs for completing pending works. App-based monitoring was emphasized to enable real-time citizen feedback and corresponding corrective action by authorities. Shri Yadav emphasized on ensuring quality road construction, adhering to CAQM design framework including end-to-end pavements and proper drainage. Intensive on-ground monitoring of the ongoing works in Delhi need to be conducted, he desired. The Minister further requested the Municipal authorities to expedite deployment of Mechanical Road Sweeper Machine (MRSMs) at the ground level.

On Traffic Congestion, it was emphasized that 62 identified hotspots in Delhi require urgent action through smart traffic management solutions by Delhi Police, and that short-term measures may be immediately deployed to resolve the traffic issues at the earliest. Further, actions like removal of encroachments and illegal parking, along with special police deployment during peak traffic hours, issuing tenders for Foot-over Bridges, etc. were asked to be fast-tracked. Similar action plans are encouraged for other NCR cities, with the Minister stressing the need for visible, on-ground improvements.

The review meeting highlighted the ongoing transition of the Public Transport fleet to electric vehicles, with around 3,400 buses currently in operation and expected to increase to over 5,000 by March next year. End-to-end connectivity based on passenger load in high population density areas of Delhi-NCR was emphasized. The Minister also called for targeted action against below BS-IV commercial vehicles. It was informed that BS-III and below have been stopped from entering Delhi w.e.f. 01.11.2025.

The Minister instructed officials to identify potential Greening Sites across NCR and ensure public participation in mapping and execution. Plantation on degraded forest land, greening of open spaces, and removal of encroachments from urban parks, water bodies, and wetlands was emphasized. Education Departments of NCR States were asked to revive eco-clubs and green-warrior groups, to enhance youth-led greening efforts and promote community conservation. Micro-plans are to be prepared with relevant departments and implemented this winter, continuing for the next five years, ensuring participation of local elected representatives, Shri Yadav desired.

The Minister reviewed progress made over the last five meetings, which included a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. The meeting witnessed participation from key stakeholders including senior officers of the Ministry, CAQM, CPCB, Governments of NCT of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Municipal Commissioners of NCR Cities and other concerned agencies.

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VM