Bhupender Yadav calls for a Practical Approach in identifying Sources of Pollution

India’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mr Bhupender Yadav, today chaired a high-level meeting to conduct a detailed review of the Action Plans of the Municipal Bodies of Delhi and Sonipat to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR cities.

This was the third meeting in the ongoing series of structured reviews, conducted in accordance with the prescribed parameters and formats as directed by the Minister in the earlier meeting held on 03.12.2025.

The Minister directed officers to remain closely connected to ground-level realities, identify the significant sources of pollution in the NCR, and develop practical, implementable solutions.

Stressing the need to improve the National Capital’s global image, Mr Yadav underscored the importance of a ‘Whole-of-Government’ and ‘Whole-of-Society’ approach to address air pollution effectively.

Issuing specific directions, the Minister stated that Construction and Demolition (C&D) activities must not be permitted unless C&D waste-handling and processing infrastructure is identified and established within a 10 km radius of the construction site.

He further directed that provisions be made to prohibit demolition during the peak pollution period in the NCR from October to December, with immediate directions to be issued pending amendments in the rules.

Inspection drives were ordered to be launched forthwith across NCR cities, with strict action against defaulters. Emphasising that challans should not be an end in themselves, the Minister called for a practical approach, focusing on targeting major polluters rather than inconveniencing the common public. “Motivate stakeholders, persuade the public, and act firmly against defaulters,” he said.

Mr Yadav also directed that multi-level parking facilities in Delhi be appropriately placed to ensure they do not themselves become sources of traffic congestion.

He instructed the removal of illegal parking and encroachments from 62 identified traffic-congestion hotspots in the city. A detailed plan is to be prepared to identify road corridors and enable signal-free movement during peak traffic hours from 9–11 am and 4–7 pm, in coordination with Delhi Police.

Vehicles below BS-IV standards are not permitted on these corridors. The Minister stressed that unplanned urban expansion must be curbed and called for last-mile connectivity for residents of high-rise buildings to nearby public transport hubs to increase public transport use and reduce peak-hour congestion.

He also led the exploration of expanding waste-to-energy plants at Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) dump sites and the identification of open spaces for greening through public participation, including the designation of parks and water bodies.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi was asked to adopt a 360-degree approach encompassing legislative reforms, enforcement action, and provision of alternative solutions to people living or working in encroachments.

These measures should follow the voluntary relocation models used in tiger reserves, with the objective of eliminating traffic congestion and pollution hotspots. The Minister further directed the fast-tracking of the liquidation of the Okhla, Bhalswa, and Ghazipur legacy waste dump sites to achieve tangible results by the end of 2026.

Removal of stray animals from roads was also emphasised to prevent accidents and traffic jams. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was requested to analyse the production and consumption bills of industrial units in PNG to assess the actual transition of polluting units to clean fuels.

The Minister stressed the need for sustained awareness programmes to drive behavioural change across all stakeholder groups and encouraged voluntary public participation. IEC activities focused on actual pollution stakeholders, such as industries and construction companies, to raise awareness of applicable bylaws and parameters.

CAQM was asked to revise the IEC guidelines accordingly. Mr Yadav also called for the provision of heating devices to workers through CSR initiatives to prevent biomass and MSW burning in the NCR.

Emphasising handholding and supportive facilities to enable behavioural change, the Minister called upon citizens to become active partners in the fight against air pollution and urged all agencies to work in mission mode to achieve a 40 per cent reduction in AQI over the next year.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary (MoEFCC), Chairman, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), senior officers of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Secretary (Environment & Forest), GNCTD, and Municipal Commissioners of Delhi and Sonipat.