Delhi govt. directs officials to identify pollution hotspots amid decline in air quality

With the city’s air quality remaining “poor” for the second consecutive day and no respite forecast for the next nine days, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday directed officials to prepare hotspot-specific action plans, identifying the agencies responsible, and setting deadlines for corrective measures.

At a review meeting, Mr. Sirsa directed officials to use air quality index (AQI) monitoring data to identify local sources of pollution, focusing on road dust, heavy traffic, construction, unauthorised parking, and waste burning.

“Our approach is clear: identify the source of pollution and act at the spot. Every department must have a clear action plan, a deadline and accountability for results,” Mr. Sirsa said. He instructed agencies to remove encroachments, repair potholes, treat exposed soil along roadsides and ensure regular water sprinkling at locations prone to dust.

A higher AQI means an increase in air pollution. Delhi’s average AQI stood at 230 in the “poor” category, with Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan in force. Three of the 56 monitoring stations recorded “very poor” air quality, with Pusa reporting the highest AQI at 324, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app.

Data from the app also showed transport accounted for 20.3% of Delhi’s air pollution, followed by residential sources (5.2%), industries (4.2%), construction (2.6%), energy (2%), waste burning (1.8%), road dust (1.4%) and other sectors (1.3%).

Mr. Sirsa called for better coordination between the traffic police and other agencies to regulate the movement of heavy vehicles, particularly during peak hours. Urging residents to help fight pollution, Mr. Sirsa asked them to avoid burning garbage or dumping waste on roads, keep vehicle Pollution Under Control certificates valid, and use public transport or carpool.

“Keeping Delhi’s air clean requires government action and responsible public behaviour, including avoiding waste burning and reducing private vehicle use,” he added.