Centre gives one-week ultimatum to Delhi-NCR authorities to improve air quality: ‘Strict action must’

The national capital and adjoining areas woke up to a thick layer of toxic smog on Saturday

Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav has directed authorities across Delhi-NCR to ensure a visible improvement in air quality situation within a week.

This came after he chaired a high-level meeting to undertake a detailed review of action plans of the state governments of NCT Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, along with concerned municipal bodies, for tackling the prevailing adverse air pollution situation in Delhi-NCR.

“This is the fourth review meeting in recent weeks. Strict action must be taken against defaulters, but the general public should not face unnecessary inconvenience," Yadav was quoted by CNN-News18. He further stated corrective actions be implemented with immediate effect, with another review planned after 15 days.

Expressing concern over the persistence of poor air quality in Delhi-NCR, Yadav announced that from January 2026 onwards reviews of action plans, being finalised now, will be held every month at the ministerial level.

A statement by the union environment ministry said that the minister assured that implementation-related bottlenecks would be addressed through regular inter-state coordination meetings at the highest level.

“Directions were issued to ensure smooth traffic management at 62 identified congestion hotspots, and to promote EV/CNG buses for employees by corporates and industrial units in Delhi-NCR. Staggered timings for offices, shopping malls and commercial complexes were also emphasised to reduce peak-hour congestion,” the statement read.

Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Noida were directed to fast-track the implementation of the Integrated Smart Traffic Management System (ITMS), while traffic police were asked to ensure that enforcement checks do not themselves lead to congestion.

Meanwhile, the national capital and adjoining areas woke up to a thick layer of toxic smog on Saturday, significantly impairing visibility and affecting residents.

The air quality index (AQI) stood in the severe category in many parts of Delhi, including Anand Vihar (434), ITO (437), RK Puram (409), according to data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and 401-500 ‘severe’.

In several parts of Noida too, the AQI stood in the severe category – Sector 125 (416), Sector 116 (411). Similar situation was observed in Haryana as well.