NCR Mayors Take Clean Air Pledge at First-of-Its-Kind Centre-Level Dialogue
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav engaged mayors from 63 NCR cities in a clean air dialogue, urging grassroots, data-driven action.
In a significant outreach effort, the Union Environment Ministry convened a dialogue with mayors and urban local body representatives from 63 cities across the National Capital Region (NCR). The meeting, described as the first large-scale engagement of its kind with elected local officials, concluded with a collective Clean Air Pledge administered by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Yadav stressed that scientific and data-driven strategies for air quality management must extend to the grassroots level. He positioned urban local bodies as first responders whose guided actions can drive substantial change, urging public representatives to lead by example in mobilising citizens against avoidable pollution.
The Minister highlighted the growing challenge of solid waste from rapid urban expansion, calling for strict on-ground implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, and the Construction & Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2025. He encouraged local leaders to understand their statutory powers and create replicable models for citizen action.
Specific suggestions included planting local, drought-resistant grass species along roads to curb dust, alongside promoting public participation in preventing plastic use, biomass burning, and emissions from non-conforming industries and vehicles.
Shri Yadav noted that over 25 continuous review meetings have been held at the Union level with NCR municipal bodies and state governments. He pointed to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) as a centralised institutional mechanism created under the Prime Minister's leadership, assuring attendees of full technical support, including access to its repository of action plans.
The session also featured presentations on air pollution control measures in Delhi-NCR and the salient features of the new waste management rules, aimed at equipping representatives with knowledge of their duties and responsibilities.