Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM Reviews Supreme Court-Mandated Expert Report at 27th Meeting; PM2.5 Identified as Key Pollutant in Delhi
46 New Air Quality Stations and Stricter Emission Norms for Industries Across NCR Approved
Posted On:
20 FEB 2026 6:39PM by PIB Delhi
At its 27th Full Commission meeting held on 20.02.2026, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) considered a report prepared by a panel of 33 domain experts pursuant to directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in W.P. (C) No. 1135/2020. The meta-analysis of source apportionment studies (2015-2025) identifies PM2.5 as the dominant pollutant impacting AQI in Delhi and highlights the influence of both local emissions and the transboundary effect of regional movement of pollution across the airshed.
The Report of Experts from IITs, academia, research institutes, NGOs and other reputed institutes indicates that during winter months, major contributors to PM2.5 include Secondary Particulates [transformed from gaseous emissions from Transport, Industries, Power Plants, Biomass Burning, etc.] (27%), Transport (23%), Biomass Burning (20%), Dust (15%) and Industry including Thermal Power Plants (9%). Further, during summer months, Dust (27%) emerges as the dominant contributor, followed by Transport (19%), Secondary Particulates (17%), Industry (14%) and Biomass Burning (12%). Public suggestions received on the Report are under consideration.
At the meeting, the Commission also approved strengthening of the CAAQMS network based on grid-based spatial coverage, urban contiguity, land use, secondary particulates (transformed from gaseous emissions from Transport, Industries, Power Plants, Biomass Burning, etc.) and population density criteria. A total of 46 additional stations are to be established, i.e. 14 in Delhi, 16 in Haryana, 01 in Rajasthan and 15 in Uttar Pradesh. With this augmentation, the total number of CAAQMS in Delhi-NCR would increase to 157, thereby enhancing monitoring density and improving assessment of regional pollutants and baseline air quality levels.
It also approved directions for the stipulation of stricter PM emission standards for industries across Delhi-NCR, on the management of construction & demolition (C&D) waste and strengthening of dust mitigation protocols.
The CAQM took note of Direction No. 96 dated 13.02.2026 mandating coordinated and time-bound implementation of State Action Plans for prevention and elimination of wheat stubble burning in 2026;
It deliberated upon the report submitted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court regarding congestion at MCD toll plazas and highlighted the need for expeditious implementation of barrier-free Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) systems integrated with RFID and ANPR technologies to reduce vehicular congestion and vehicular emissions;
The State-Level and City Annual Action Plans for 2026 for abatement of air pollution in Delhi-NCR were reviewed. These Plans, prepared by the NCR States, Municipal Corporations and Development Authorities, aim at sustained structural measures across key sectors including transport, industry, dust mitigation, waste management and biomass burning. The Commission reiterated that implementation of these Action Plans shall be monitored regularly.
The Commission also reviewed the status of Enforcement Task Force (ETF) actions including closures and resumption of units and took note of GRAP orders issued since the last Full Commission meeting dated 22.12.2025.
It took note of the re-appointment of Dr. S.D. Attri as Full-Time Technical Member, CAQM, pursuant to orders issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
The CAQM reiterated the need for continued strict vigilance, coordinated enforcement and effective implementation of Statutory Directions. All implementing agencies committed to regularly review air pollution abatement measures and to take strict and effective action across all sectors.
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