Yadav Reviews NCR State Plans to Combat Air Pollution

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has reviewed the comprehensive air quality management plans submitted by states in the National Capital Region (NCR), with a focus on stakeholder engagement and behavioural change communication.

The review follows more than 25 meetings held over the past year with municipal bodies in the NCR to assess their individual air quality plans. These discussions have now crystallised into state-level action plans covering on-ground activities targeting identified pollution sources.

During the meeting, attended by environment ministers, secretaries, and pollution control board officials from Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, along with agriculture and environment representatives from Punjab and Rajasthan, Yadav welcomed the detailed plans and urged states to adopt best practices from each other.

The Minister stressed that State Pollution Control Boards must focus on identified pollution hotspots and prepare practical mitigation plans. He called for a 'Zero-Tolerance' policy towards non-conforming polluting industries, adding that responsibility for violations must be fixed and defaulters publicised to ensure accountability.

Yadav emphasised that information, education, and communication (IEC) activities alone would not suffice, and that effective implementation and enforcement remain critical. He proposed that Union Ministers for Agriculture, Environment, and Urban Development hold meetings with their state counterparts to devise coordinated strategies.

A follow-up review meeting at the Union Minister level is scheduled for September to assess progress. The Minister assured states of full central government support for their air quality management efforts.