Tackle NCR air pollution via public participation: Bhupender Yadav

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav called for strong public participation at the grassroots level to combat air pollution in the NCR, urging Mayors and urban local bodies to lead the clean air mission with a scientific, data-based approach.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, on Monday, called for strong grassroots-level public participation to tackle air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), while urging Mayors and representatives of urban local bodies to take the lead in driving the clean air mission.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry, the dialogue, involving Mayors and Local representatives from 63 NCR cities, marks the first instance of such a large-scale engagement organised by the Ministry with elected representatives of local bodies on the issue of air pollution.

Translate Plans into Ground-Level Action

Yadav emphasised that a scientific and data-based approach to air pollution control must reach the grassroots, with public representatives playing a central role in translating action plans into effective implementation on the ground. He encouraged Mayors and local representatives to lead by example and mobilise citizens to prevent avoidable pollution and ensure cleaner, healthier urban environments. He added that Urban Local Bodies are the first responders and can bring phenomenal change with guided actions and hence have a very important part to play in this issue.

Waste Management and Greening Initiatives

Highlighting the rapid expansion of urban areas and the resulting challenge of solid waste generation, the Minister stressed the need for effective implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Management Rules, 2025 on the ground. He called upon public representatives to familiarise themselves with the powers and responsibilities of local bodies in air pollution control and solid waste management and to take the first positive steps to create replicable examples for citizens.

Yadav urged local bodies to increase green cover by planting local and drought-resistant grass species along roads to help contain dust pollution. He also called for greater avenues for public participation in ensuring effective cleaning, preventing plastic use and biomass burning, and checking pollution from non-conforming industries and vehicles.

Centralised Mechanism and Coordination

The Minister informed the gathering that more than 25 continuous review meetings have been conducted at the Union level with NCR municipal bodies and State Governments. He also highlighted his engagements with the Chief Ministers of NCR States and the preparation of detailed action plans to tackle air pollution. He urged public representatives to coordinate closely with municipal bodies and ensure effective implementation of these plans at the grassroots.

Yadav highlighted that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a centralised institutional mechanism, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), has been created for enforcement of air quality management measures in NCR. He assured the local bodies that the Ministry and CAQM would extend full technical support, including access to its technical repository and action plans, to strengthen implementation at the grassroots level.

Clean Air Pledge and Awareness

The meeting ended with the Union Minister administering a Clean Air Pledge to all the present public representatives and taking the lead to work with the citizens in their areas in the direction of effective air quality management.

Earlier, two presentations were given to the attendees on 'Air Pollution Control Measures in Delhi-NCR', along with one on ‘Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026’ and ‘C&D Waste Management Rules, 2025’. This was done to inform the public representatives about the salient features of the initiatives being taken by the Government, as well as to create awareness amongst them about their duties, responsibilities and powers in the fields of Air Pollution Control and Solid Waste Management. (ANI)

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