CAQM Develops a Comprehensive Policy to Combat Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR

The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjacent Areas (CAQM) has developed a Comprehensive Policy to combat the threat of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, marking an important step toward overall improvement of air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) through a differentiated geographical approach and action timelines.

This policy includes sector-specific recommendations for Central Government Agencies and Departments, NCR State Governments, and GNCTD, as well as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of the NCR, to prevent, control, and abate air pollution in the NCR, including industries, vehicles/transport, construction and demolition (C&D), dust from roads and open areas, municipal solid waste burning, crop residue burning, and so on.

CAQM's policy also addresses thermal power plants (TPPs), clean fuels and electric mobility, public transportation, road traffic management, diesel generators (DGs), the use of firecrackers, and the reduction of air pollution through greening and plantation.

The goal of CAQM's comprehensive plan is to reduce air pollution primarily in Delhi and the National Capital Region. Due to infrastructure and system deficiencies across NCR sub-regions, wide variations in baseline actions, and varying levels of urbanization, a differentiated approach and timelines have been proposed for various sub-regions. These sub-regions are as follows:

• National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi

• NCR districts near Delhi — Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Baghpat

• Other NCR districts

• The entire state of Punjab and the non-NCR districts of Haryana, primarily for addressing episodic events of stubble burning

In its order dated 16.12.2021 in WP (Civil) No 1135 of 2020 in the matter of Aditya Dubey (minor) and Anr v/s UOI & Ors., the Supreme Court of India directed CAQM that suggestions from the general public as well as experts in the field be invited in order to "find a permanent solution to the air pollution menace occurring every year in Delhi and NCR."

Furthermore, in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court, the Commission established an Expert Group by order dated 7.1.2022. The Expert Group considered the suggestions received, met with interveners and experts, as well as representatives from various stakeholders and state governments.

The Expert Group reviewed and examined existing scientific literature, relevant policies, regulations, programmes, and funding strategies of the Central and State Governments in various sectors, the current state of action, and best practice approaches, in addition to taking into account the suggestions received. Suggestions for mitigation in key sectors of air pollution, air quality management, monitoring framework, and institutional strengthening for implementation were received from civil society, research bodies, industry, experts, academia, individuals, and so on.

The assessment covered industries, power plants, vehicles and transportation, diesel generator sets, dust sources such as construction/demolition projects/roads and open areas, municipal solid waste/biomass burning, episodic events such as stubble burning, firecrackers, and other dispersed sources. The inputs and suggestions received during a series of stakeholder consultations were appropriately incorporated into the relevant sections, and this participatory approach has enriched the exercise of proposing a comprehensive policy to reduce air pollution in the Delhi-NCR.

Given the issues and complexities involved, the Expert Group has proposed short-term (up to one year), medium-term (one to three years), and long-term (three to five years, preferably) actions. This timeframe is further differentiated for various sub-regions/areas/districts/cities to allow for all to transform in order to meet the common air quality goal. In general, the critical areas of transformation aimed at meeting national ambient air quality standards are as follows:

• Access to low-cost clean fuels and technology in industry, transportation, and households.

• Mobility transition includes mass transit, vehicle electrification, building walking and cycling infrastructure, and reducing personal vehicle usage, among other things.

• Circular economy for waste material recovery to avoid dumping and burning

• Dust control from C&D activities, roads/RoW, and open areas using appropriate technology, infrastructure, and greening measures

• Strict time constraints, improved monitoring, and compliance

The Commission has already shared this policy with the Central Government Ministries/Departments, NCR State Governments, GNCTD, and other organizations in order to take comprehensive action to reduce air pollution in the NCR.