New Delhi, Dec 19: Delhi’s Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has taken significant steps to address the worsening air quality in the Delhi-NCR region by issuing directions that aim for a visible improvement within a week.
In a meeting involving key officials from relevant ministries and state governments, the Minister outlined strategies including managing traffic at 62 congestion hotspots, removing construction waste, curbing biomass burning, and implementing staggered office timings.
A review of the action plans, set to begin in January 2026, will be conducted monthly. Urgent measures will involve enhancing public transport on busy routes and intensifying actions against polluting industrial units.
Officials from surrounding cities have been instructed to expedite the rollout of the Integrated Smart Traffic Management System. Additionally, strict measures were outlined for removing traffic-impeding encroachments and ensuring roads are well-maintained and equipped to handle monsoon water.
The meeting also focused on pollution grievance handling under the Commission for Air Quality Management’s guidance and engaged stakeholders in initiatives for construction waste management.
Specific responsibilities were allocated to Haryana for utilizing agricultural waste and exploring in-situ solutions like bio-gas and ethanol production to tackle stubble burning.
Furthermore, illegal polluting establishments are to be sealed, with a compliance deadline for emission monitoring systems set for December 31. The approach encompasses cooperation among various civic bodies for effective waste collection and management.
