The union minister for environment, forest and climate change, Bhupender Yadav, today chaired a high-level meeting to undertake a detailed review of action plans of the state governments of Rajasthan and Punjab for tackling air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
In a coordinated effort to tackle chronic air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), the union ministry of environment, forest and climate change has stepped up oversight of state action plans and continued on-ground enforcement to curb dust and waste accumulation. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired a high-level review meeting with officials from Rajasthan and Punjab, underscoring accelerated implementation of targeted measures. Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) conducted extensive inspections of road stretches in Noida, reporting that the majority of areas had low or no visible dust – a positive sign under ongoing mitigation efforts.
Monthly Ministerial Reviews to Ensure Action Plan Delivery
Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday reviewed detailed action plans submitted by the state governments of Rajasthan and Punjab as part of efforts to improve the air quality of Delhi-NCR throughout the year. The meeting, the fifth in an ongoing series, focused on strengthening sector-wise targeted action plans with “fixed accountability” to ensure tangible results when the next high-pollution season arrives.
Expressing concern that air quality issues persist year-round in the region, the minister announced that from January 2026 onwards, reviews of action plans will be held monthly at the ministerial level. The emphasis is on preparing plans eight months ahead of the next critical season and ensuring their rigorous execution.
Officials from relevant ministries, including agriculture, housing and urban development, and heavy industries, as well as representatives of state pollution control boards, attended the meeting. The minister stressed that regular inter-state coordination would be vital to remove implementation bottlenecks and improve outcomes on the ground.
Targeted Measures for Transport, Waste, and Emissions
During the review of Rajasthan’s plan, Yadav highlighted gaps in public transport in several urban centres, including Alwar, Bhiwadi, Neemrana, and Bharatpur, directing that electric buses be procured on a priority basis with detailed timelines. Charging infrastructure along highways and within cities must be expanded “in a mission mode,” he said.
Unplanned truck parking along national highways in Bhiwadi and Neemrana was identified as a key source of congestion and pollution. The minister called for designated truck parking areas with a strategic plan to reduce road blockages and emissions.
Rajasthan city-specific plans must also include road redevelopment strategies, decongestion measures, and schemes to clear legacy waste – with mechanical road sweeping machines to be deployed where gaps are found. Around 600 locations have been identified for roadside tree plantation, emphasising community engagement in greening efforts.
In Punjab, crop residue management was a major focus. The minister urged assurance of optimal functioning of crop residue management (CRM) machines and encouraged standard operating procedures for machine certification. He also called for innovative interventions with the agriculture ministry, including promoting pelletisation plants and the use of crop residue in power plants and brick kilns to reduce the incidence of stubble burning. Compressed bio gas (CBG) plants and drone-based surveillance to prevent burning were also encouraged.
The minister stressed that emissions from industrial units must be curbed, with non-compliant facilities being served closure notices if they have not installed online continuous emission monitoring systems (OCEMS). Outreach campaigns will involve industry associations and resident welfare groups to boost waste segregation and processing.
CAQM Inspections Show Progress in Noida Road Dust Control
On the enforcement front, the CAQM carried out a broad inspection on 5 January of 142 road stretches maintained by the Noida Authority to assess the effectiveness of dust mitigation and sweeping operations under the graded response action plan (GRAP).
Ten inspection teams comprising officials from the Uttar Pradesh pollution control board and the CAQM flying squad evaluated cleaning activities, road dust levels, and accumulation of municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Geo-tagged and time-stamped photographic evidence was collected for consolidated reporting.
Findings show that 66 road stretches had low dust levels and 48 had no visible dust at all. Only four stretches showed high visible dust and 24 had moderate dust – indicating broad compliance with dust control measures. The hotspots with higher dust were mainly associated with waste buildup under flyovers, along metro corridors, and on key artery segments.
CAQM emphasised the need for continuous mechanical sweeping, prompt waste collection and scientific disposal, regular water sprinkling, and firm prevention of waste dumping and open burning. Regular “operation clean air” inspection and enforcement drives will continue throughout the NCR to uphold compliance and improve the region’s air quality.
Commitment to Cleaner Air and Enforcement Ahead
These twin initiatives – ministerial oversight of state action plans and on-ground inspections by CAQM – reflect an intensified government push to address chronic air pollution in the NCR. By combining strategic planning with routine enforcement, authorities aim to achieve visible improvements in air quality before the next high-pollution season. Monthly ministerial reviews, fixed accountability across sectors, and data-driven inspection regimes are central to this approach, reinforcing the government’s commitment to cleaner, healthier air for residents of Delhi and its surrounding regions.
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