Delhi-NCR Steps Up Action Against Air Pollution
In a major effort to combat air pollution, the Sub-Committee on Safeguarding and Enforcement of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) convened its 23rd meeting on December 12, 2025. The meeting focused on enforcing measures to control pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, particularly during the active Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) period.
Key Directions for GNCTD
During the meeting, the Commission made several observations regarding the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). The authorities were urged to address significant issues such as traffic congestion, road dust, and the disposal of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), which includes its burning. To tackle these challenges, the Commission issued several directives:
- Organize monthly meetings focused on reducing congestion at identified hotspots.
- Implement vacuuming of road dust contributing to fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10).
- Ensure the proper collection and disposal of MSW by the municipal corporations.
- Increase night patrolling efforts to monitor MSW and biomass burning.
- Enhance enforcement measures through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at fuel stations.
Actions Required from Haryana
The commission also highlighted areas where Haryana needs to improve its response to air pollution. The state’s performance in managing traffic congestion, road dust, and waste disposal was deemed insufficient. In response, the Commission directed Haryana to:
- Engage multiple agencies and departments in a concerted effort.
- Create dedicated teams for surprise inspections targeting sectors contributing to air pollution.
- Empower the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) to better identify hotspots and improve traffic de-congestion measures.
- Increase night patrols to combat MSW and biomass burning.
- Deploy ANPR cameras at fuel stations to enforce compliance.
Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan’s Progress
The NCR districts of Uttar Pradesh showed promising results in their fight against air pollution, yet they too need to adhere to timelines for targeted actions, especially in the vehicular sector. A deadline of December 31, 2025, was established for developing a web portal for vehicle aggregators and e-commerce services. Similarly, Rajasthan is required to notify a policy for monitoring these entities by the same date, with accountability measures established for any delays.
Call for Advanced Technology Adoption
The committee emphasized the importance of utilizing advanced technologies, including AI-driven solutions, to enhance monitoring and enforcement against air pollution across all NCR states and the GNCTD. This tech-forward approach aims to bolster efforts to maintain better air quality, particularly during the challenging winter months.
All stakeholders committed to routinely reviewing air pollution control strategies and ensuring effective action across various contributing sectors. The unified response is deemed essential for obtaining sustained improvements in air quality in the Delhi-NCR region.
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