Delhi-NCR pollution: Centre asks states to act against erring officials

With air quality deteriorating across Delhi-NCR, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has directed Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to strengthen pollution control measures and fix accountability for lapses on the ground.

At a joint review meeting on Saturday, Yadav asked the states to use real-time data from Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) to monitor pollution-related violations and ensure that corrective measures are implemented without delay.

He also directed the nomination of secretary-level officials for seven cities in Haryana, four each in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, and Delhi. These officials will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of measures and conducting field visits.

“This data will have to be reported to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on a weekly basis. CAQM has been requested to issue notices to non-performing officers,” said Yadav, as quoted in an official release.

States asked to strengthen monitoring and enforcement

The meeting was attended by Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Haryana's Rao Narbir Singh, Uttar Pradesh's Arun Kumar Saxena and officials from state pollution control boards.

Pointing out that pollution crosses state boundaries, Yadav called for coordinated action across the National Capital Region. He also stressed the need to install Automatic Number-Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems in Delhi and neighbouring NCR states, warning that the CAQM would take action if this was not done.

“All agencies must ensure strict implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) and need to adopt Delhi’s hotspot-focused winter action plan, covering traffic management, work-from-home measures, construction restrictions and prevention of open burning,” said Yadav.

Construction ban, road repairs among key measures

The minister called for strict enforcement of the ban on construction and demolition activities between November 5 and 20 across Delhi-NCR.

Road-owning agencies have also been asked to speed up pothole repairs and fix damaged footpaths and central verges. The directions include end-to-end paving under the CAQM framework and AI-based videographic surveys.

“Mechanical road sweeping machines must be fully utilised and operated in double shifts, with digital tracking and AI-based monitoring,” Yadav said.

Push for cleaner commercial vehicles

Yadav also asked states to expedite the PARIVARTAN scheme, which aims to replace pre-BS-6 trucks and buses with BS-6, CNG and electric vehicles by 2028. BS-VI vehicles comply with the most stringent emission standards among the Bharat Stage categories.