Centre seeks 2026 pollution roadmap as Delhi-NCR air quality hits season’s worst

As Delhi-NCR endures its worst winter air, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Wednesday said civic bodies in the region must submit their annual action plans for 2026 by December-end.

Vehicular emissions remain a major contributor to PM2.5 levels, and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) will set up an expert committee to address vehicular pollution. Yadav chaired the sixth review meeting on improving Delhi-NCR’s air quality, stressing time-bound execution of action plans with monthly and weekly targets. On-ground reviews would also be held to ensure effective implementation, he said.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) chief Vir Vikram Yadav said industries across Delhi-NCR have been directed to install Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) and Air Pollution Control Devices (APCD).

“Strict action will be taken against units that fail to comply by December-end, including possible closure. Industries across metal, textile, food and food processing, along with 17 other categories, are required to install OCEMS. Of the 3,500 units mandated to do so, 2,254 fall under this requirement, and 1,246 have installed pollution-control devices so far. We have 35 calibrated OCEMS models and only these could be installed, and industries have begun the process,” he said. These systems are directly linked to the CPCB server to flag units exceeding emission limits.

Key dust-control interventions outlined at the meeting include filling potholes, completing pavements, managing construction and demolition waste, improving traffic flow, strengthening public transport, remediating legacy waste and greening open spaces.

Authorities have identified 62 traffic hotspots in Delhi, where smart traffic management solutions, removal of encroachments, tackling illegal parking, additional police deployment during peak hours and fast-tracking foot-over-bridge tenders have been prioritised. Municipal bodies have also been asked to speed up deployment of mechanical road sweepers.

The meeting highlighted the ongoing shift to electric public transport, with around 3,400 e-buses currently operating and the fleet expected to cross 5,000 by March. Yadav also called for action against commercial vehicles below BS-IV standards. Upcoming review meetings will cover stubble burning with Punjab and Haryana agriculture departments, planned urban development with the Union Housing Ministry, and pollution-control measures with local bodies.

Director General of Forests Sushil Kumar Awasthi said, “Beyond forest areas, there is significant scope to green public spaces, including schools and central public sector units. These sites will be identified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.” Environment Secretary Tanmay Kumar said IIT-Kanpur had submitted recommendations on stricter emission norms, which were under review.

Yadav added that Punjab and Haryana have been asked to prepare their action plans this year to curb stubble burning in the next paddy season, with a meeting scheduled soon in Chandigarh.