Delhi-NCR Pollution Control measures are being strengthened ahead of the winter season as authorities prepare to deal with the region’s recurring air pollution problem. The Centre, Delhi government and NCR states have been reviewing action plans covering road dust, vehicles, construction waste, industries, crop residue burning and waste management.
These preparations have become important as Delhi’s air quality has begun to deteriorate in September. As per Hindustan Times, “Delhi’s AQI has jumped from 118 on September 19 to 178 on September 22, before settling at 151 on September 23.” This has occurred amid the start of the withdrawal of monsoons.
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Authorities Step Up Preparations for Winter Pollution
The central government has been holding meetings with Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to review their pollution-control plans.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav reviewed the action plan prepared by Uttar Pradesh for Delhi-NCR on September 18 and urged speedy implementation and coordination ahead of winter.
The plans focus on reducing pollution from several sources, including road dust, construction activities, vehicles, industries and waste. Authorities have also been asked to improve road cleaning and greening, repair roads and strengthen measures at pollution hotspots.
The Delhi government has independently instructed civic bodies to finish all outstanding road constructions by October 31. It has also directed strict steps to check biomass/waste burning and the removal of unauthorized heavy vehicles at those places where traffic pollution causes pollution.
Focus on Road Dust and Construction Waste
Road dust remains one of the areas receiving attention under the Delhi-NCR Pollution Control plans. The Centre has requested that authorities enhance the deployment of mechanical road sweepers. In June, the government stated that more mechanical road sweeping machines need to be deployed in Delhi-NCR by September 30 prior to the winter GRAP phase.
Construction and demolition waste is another focus area. Authorities have been reviewing the collection, transportation and scientific processing of such waste. The government has also highlighted the need for better dust control at construction and demolition sites.
The Centre said Delhi generates around 5,500–6,000 metric tonnes of construction and demolition waste every day, making proper waste management an important part of pollution-control efforts.
Action Against Vehicle Pollution
The emission from the vehicles are also taken into account in the process. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been devising ways to control the pollution caused by the vehicles.
One important measure is linked to Pollution Under Control Certificates. CAQM has directed that, from October 1, 2026, fuel should be provided in the NCR only to vehicles with a valid PUCC.
There are efforts to install the automatic number plate recognition system at fuel stations in the states of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in order to facilitate the enforcement of the said law.
Stubble Burning Remains a Major Concern
Crop residue burning in neighbouring states is another issue closely monitored during the preparation for winter.
CAQM has prepared an action plan for the 2026 paddy harvest season with the objective of eliminating paddy stubble-burning incidents in the NCR states.
It has also instructed the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to implement their plans for crop residue management in a time-bound manner so as to lower the pollution entering Delhi-NCR during winter.
GRAP Will Be Used When Required
The Delhi-NCR Pollution Control strategy also includes the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which allows authorities to introduce additional measures when air quality deteriorates.
GRAP has already been applied by CAQM in 2026 when the air quality level of Delhi was categorized as poor. The institution keeps monitoring the air quality and weather forecast before implementing any stage of GRAP.
The authorities are also expanding air-quality monitoring across the NCR. CAQM has proposed additional continuous monitoring stations in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to improve monitoring coverage.
Conclusion
The latest Delhi-NCR Pollution Control preparations show that authorities are focusing on several pollution sources before the winter season begins. Road dust, vehicle emissions, construction waste, industrial pollution, waste burning and stubble burning are among the key areas being addressed.
With Delhi’s air quality already showing some deterioration in September, the coming weeks will be important for implementing these measures. Authorities are expected to continue monitoring pollution levels and take additional steps whenever required under the existing pollution-control framework.