changeadminIndia’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (EFCC), Mr Bhupender Yadav, today chaired a high-level meeting to conduct a detailed review of the Action Plans of the State Governments of NCT of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, along with the concerned Municipal Bodies, to address the prevailing adverse air pollution situation in Delhi-NCR.
This was the fourth in a series of such review meetings, conducted on a structured set of parameters in the prescribed format, as directed by the Minister in the earlier meeting held on 03rd December. Also present in the meeting was the Minister of State (EFCC), Mr Kirti Vardhan Singh.
Expressing concern over the persistence of poor air quality in the Delhi-NCR, Mr Yadav announced that, from January 2026, reviews of action plans, which are currently being finalised, will be held monthly at the Ministerial level.
State Governments were asked to integrate the action plans of all NCR cities under their jurisdiction for future presentations. The Minister assured that implementation-related bottlenecks would be addressed through regular inter-State coordination meetings at the highest level.
Mr Yadav reviewed the individual presentations on measures taken by the State Governments and Municipal Bodies to control air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. He emphasised that the momentum of these actions must be sustained until there is a visible improvement in air quality across the NCR.
The Minister further made it clear that strict measures must be taken against defaulters, while the general public must not be unnecessarily inconvenienced. Identified issues are to be addressed through corrective actions, with a review scheduled in 15 days.
Directions were issued to ensure smooth traffic management at 62 identified congestion hotspots, and to promote EV/CNG buses for employees by corporates and industrial units in Delhi-NCR.
Staggered opening hours for offices, shopping malls, and commercial complexes were also emphasised to reduce peak-hour congestion. Special measures were emphasised to provide end-to-end public transport on high-traffic routes.
At the same time, strict directives were issued to intensify enforcement against illegal and polluting industrial units operating in the region.
Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida were directed to fast-track implementation of the Integrated Smart Traffic Management System (ITMS). At the same time, traffic police were asked to ensure that enforcement checks do not themselves cause congestion.
The Minister underscored the need for coordinated planning with DMRC and State authorities to improve last-mile metro connectivity across NCR cities.
Directions were issued to remove encroachments causing traffic congestion within 10 days, ensure annual maintenance contracts for pothole-free roads, and provide proper drainage to prevent monsoon-related damage to the streets.
Coordinated redressal of public grievances related to pollution was to be ensured under the CAQM’s supervision, along with targeted IEC activities to engage stakeholders.
Mr Yadav emphasised the need to take the necessary steps to ensure a visible improvement in air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region within one week. He directed the authorities to remove dust and construction-and-demolition (C&D) waste from roads, contain biomass burning, and strictly enforce construction bans during high-pollution periods.
Individual officers were assigned responsibility for Mechanical Road Sweeping Machines (MRSMs) equipped with GPS tracking to ensure efficient road cleaning and dust control. Public representatives were to be involved to strengthen accountability, he desired.
The CAQM was advised to issue guidance to Municipal Bodies not to permit demolition activities unless C&D waste collection sub-centres are available within a 10 km radius.
C&D activities are to be banned during October–December, and the CAQM was asked to explore engagement with start-ups and the private sector to develop innovative C&D waste management solutions through stakeholder consultations.
Haryana was directed to replace defunct Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines, ensure the utilisation of paddy straw in power plants, brick kilns, and crematoriums, and encourage the setting up of pelletisation plants with Central financial assistance.
Decentralised and in-situ solutions, including Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) and ethanol plants, were to be explored to generate revenue and discourage stubble burning.
Specific directions were issued to seal illegal tyre-burning units and other non-permitted polluting establishments operating in Delhi-NCR.
Further, it was directed to ensure the installation of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) in all polluting units—particularly in Haryana—and to enforce the 31st December compliance deadline.
The Minister also directed ensuring society-wise solid waste collection and joint disposal of Bandhwari legacy waste by Faridabad and Gurugram at a common facility.
In coordination with the Delhi Forest Department, the Minister directed exploration of plantation opportunities in the NDMC area, with a target of planting 11 lakh saplings on World Environment Day 2026.
NHAI was advised to reduce congestion at toll plazas by improving sensors and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, and to ensure proper maintenance of major traffic-carrying roads.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary (MoEFCC), the Chairman of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), and Senior officers from the Union Ministries of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Road Transport and Highways; and Heavy Industries, as well as the State Governments of NCT of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Also present in the meeting were MD (DMRC), senior officers of MCD, NDMC, Delhi Police, NHAI and DDA, besides Municipal Commissioners and DMs of Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad, along with senior officers from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
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