Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the air pollution control action plans of Ghaziabad and Noida, marking the first in a series of city-specific reviews across the Delhi-NCR region. The exercise is part of a structured review mechanism that will culminate in a State-level assessment in the coming days, aimed at strengthening implementation and ensuring measurable improvements in air quality.
The review was conducted in the prescribed format finalised during the earlier meeting held on 03 December 2025, enabling a focused evaluation of progress and identification of critical gaps in on-ground execution.
Comprehensive Review of City Action Plans
Senior officers from Ghaziabad and Noida made detailed presentations outlining actions taken under their respective air pollution mitigation plans. The review was undertaken across a wide range of key parameters, including:
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Adoption of smart traffic management systems to reduce vehicular emissions
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Compliance of industrial units with prescribed pollution control norms
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Status of commercial electric vehicle (EV) fleets and charging infrastructure
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Strengthening end-to-end public transport systems and parking facilities
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Infrastructure augmentation for Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)/legacy waste management
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End-to-end paving and tiling of roads to minimise dust generation
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Deployment of Mechanical Road Sweeping Machines (MRSMs) and use of anti-smog guns and water sprinklers
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Greening of pathways and open spaces
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Jan Bhagidari initiatives, including IEC campaigns and app-based grievance redressal mechanisms
Strict Compliance on Industrial Emissions Monitoring
The Minister reviewed progress with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the installation of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) in industrial units. He directed strict adherence to the 31 December 2025 deadline for completion of installations and instructed authorities to take stringent action against non-compliant units.
CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) were also directed to intensify inspections of polluting and delinquent industries, particularly in peri-urban areas, and ensure timely corrective measures along with necessary handholding support.
Strengthening NCR-Wide Monitoring and NCAP Reforms
Shri Yadav requested the Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi-NCR (CAQM) to further fine-tune and standardise action plan parameters and collate city-level data to enable a holistic Delhi-NCR-wide review.
He also emphasised the need to upgrade the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) parameters to ensure rational and performance-linked allocation of funds, rewarding cities demonstrating effective implementation and tangible outcomes.
Jan Bhagidari at the Core of Pollution Control
Reiterating that air pollution cannot be tackled by administrative action alone, the Minister stressed the importance of active public participation (Jan Bhagidari). He called for greater involvement of public representatives, resident welfare associations and citizens in implementing action plans, grievance redressal and greening drives, so that pollution control becomes a people’s movement.
Targeted Urban Greening and Integrated Waste Management
Offering specific guidance, Shri Yadav advised Municipal Authorities to collaborate with State Forest Departments to undertake plantations using indigenous, heat-resistant and low-water-requiring species, including bushes and grasses, suitable for urban conditions.
He also called for the formulation of integrated waste management plans, stressing coordination among multiple agencies to avoid siloed approaches and duplication of resources. The CAQM was requested to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for effective utilisation of urban open spaces for greening and improved urban planning.
Future-Ready Transport and Urban Planning
The Minister further suggested undertaking a dedicated study to identify high-traffic corridors and bulk movement routes in Delhi-NCR, followed by provisioning of end-to-end public transport facilities, at least along these key routes, to significantly reduce vehicular emissions.
He underlined that municipal action plans must be future-ready, including advance identification of sites and infrastructure for processing the increasing volumes of MSW and C&D waste, in line with projected urban growth.
Participation of Key Stakeholders
The meeting was attended by the Chairman, CAQM, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), senior officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, representatives of the Uttar Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (UPSPCB), along with the District Magistrate and Municipal Commissioner of Ghaziabad, and the CEO, Noida Authority.
Conclusion
The high-level review chaired by Shri Bhupender Yadav sets the tone for a more rigorous, accountable and participatory approach to tackling air pollution in Delhi-NCR. With a clear message of zero tolerance for non-compliance, stronger institutional coordination and a renewed emphasis on Jan Bhagidari, the Government aims to translate action plans into tangible improvements in air quality and public health across the region.
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Source: PIB
