The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Wednesday said Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has directed authorities across Delhi-NCR to speed up the on-ground execution of annual action plans aimed at improving air quality in the region. Yadav issued the instructions while chairing a high-level review meeting attended by Delhi’s Environment Minister Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa and senior officials from NCR states.
Yadav reviewed category-wise progress and stressed strict, time-bound implementation of measures related to road development, dust control, construction and demolition waste management, industrial emissions, smart traffic management, expansion of public transport, legacy waste handling and greening of open spaces. He said industrial units delaying the installation of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) and Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs) would face strict action, including possible closure, after December 31, 2025. Officials informed that 2,254 high-polluting units in sectors such as metal, textiles and food processing have been mandated to install calibrated OCEMS and APCDs under the SOP issued by the CPCB. Rising market prices of these devices are being monitored to prevent delays.
The Minister asked NCR states to adopt strict SOPs for road repairs and pothole removal and to use app-based systems for real-time citizen feedback. He emphasised adherence to the CAQM’s design framework, including end-to-end pavements and proper drainage. Municipal bodies have been instructed to expedite the deployment of mechanical road sweeping machines.
Flagging 62 traffic congestion hotspots in Delhi, Yadav called for urgent intervention from Delhi Police through smart traffic solutions. Measures such as clearing encroachments, removing illegal parking, increasing police deployment during peak hours and fast-tracking tenders for foot-over bridges were discussed. Similar steps were encouraged for other NCR cities.
The Ministry reported significant progress in shifting Delhi-NCR’s public transport system to electric mobility. About 3,400 electric buses are currently operational and the number is expected to exceed 5,000 by March 2026. The Minister called for targeted enforcement against below BS-IV commercial vehicles, noting that BS-III and older vehicles have been barred from entering Delhi since November 1.
Yadav directed departments to identify potential greening sites across NCR, undertake plantation on degraded forest land and restore urban parks, water bodies and wetlands free of encroachments. He asked education departments to revive eco-clubs and youth “green warrior” groups to strengthen community-led conservation efforts. Micro-greening plans for the winter season, aligned with a five-year roadmap, will be prepared with the involvement of local bodies and elected representatives.
Senior officials from the Environment Ministry, CAQM, CPCB and governments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, along with municipal commissioners from NCR cities, took part in the review. Yadav also assessed the progress recorded across the previous five meetings, reiterating the whole-of-government approach to addressing air pollution in the region.