In a significant move to combat the capital region's severe air pollution, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has issued a series of directives to local authorities. The minister has ordered a prohibition on demolition activities during the peak pollution period from October to December every year in Delhi-NCR.
Immediate Action on Construction and Traffic
Chairing a high-level review meeting on Wednesday, Minister Yadav instructed officials to issue "immediate directions" for the seasonal demolition ban, pending formal amendments to rules. He mandated that no new construction and demolition (C&D) projects be permitted unless proper C&D waste handling and processing infrastructure is established within a 10-kilometer radius of the site.
The minister set an ambitious target for all agencies: to work in mission mode to achieve a 40% reduction in the Air Quality Index (AQI) over the next one year. To address vehicular pollution, he ordered the removal of illegal parking and encroachments from 62 identified traffic congestion hotspots in Delhi.
Clearing Legacy Waste and Ensuring Smooth Traffic
A major focus of the plan is the liquidation of three massive legacy waste dump sites. Yadav directed authorities to fast-track the process for the Okhla, Bhalswa, and Ghazipur landfill sites, aiming for tangible results by the end of 2026.
To decongest roads, a detailed plan must be prepared to identify key road corridors for signal-free movement during peak hours—9 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 7 pm—in coordination with Delhi Police. The official statement clarified that vehicles below BS-IV standards will be barred from using these corridors. The meeting also emphasized removing stray animals from roads to prevent accidents and traffic jams.
A Practical Approach to Enforcement
Minister Yadav advocated for a pragmatic enforcement strategy. He emphasized that issuing fines or challans should not be an end in itself. Instead, the focus should be on targeting major polluters rather than inconveniencing the common public. "Motivate stakeholders, persuade the public, and act firmly against defaulters," he advised, calling for a balanced and effective approach to pollution control.
