CM Rekha Gupta unveils Delhi's air pollution mitigation plan for 2026

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday unveiled the Air Pollution Mitigation Action Plan 2026, announcing a series of measures including strict enforcement of the "No PUC, No Fuel" rule, curbs on polluting vehicles and a push for cleaner transport and dust control.

Announcing the rollout of the plan, Gupta said the initiative builds on the government's 'historic' Green Budget for 2026-27 and aims to translate clean air goals into measurable outcomes.

The action plan, announced after a high-level review meeting held at the Mukhyamantri Janseva Sadan, is aimed at tackling key sources of pollution such as vehicular emissions, road dust, construction activity, industrial discharge and biomass burning, officials said.




Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said clean air and environmental protection were now central to the government's policy framework and would be backed by dedicated budgetary allocations and strict enforcement.

"This is not just a policy announcement, it is an enforcement-driven campaign powered by resources, technology and strict oversight," she said.

Taking a tough stance on vehicular pollution, Gupta said the "No PUC (Pollution Under Control), No Fuel" rule would be strictly implemented with support from Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and digital tracking systems.

From November 1, entry of goods vehicles into the national capital will be restricted to those compliant with Bharat Stage (BS)-VI norms or powered by CNG or electricity, officials said.

The government will also regulate non-essential traffic inflow and may consider staggered office timings, work-from-home directives and additional restrictions on polluting vehicles during periods of severe air pollution, they added.

As part of efforts to reduce vehicular emissions, the government plans to expand the city's bus fleet to 13,760 by 2028-29, with priority being given to electric buses.

Officials further said the government also plans to improve last-mile connectivity through better integration of metro and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) networks with feeder buses, e-autos and shared mobility services.

To accelerate electric mobility, 32,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points will be installed over the next four years, while the proposed EV Policy 2026 will focus on two-wheelers, commercial vehicles and the transition of government fleets to cleaner fuels, they said.

The chief minister also announced measures to ease traffic congestion at 62 identified hotspots through time-bound interventions and the rollout of an Intelligent Traffic Management System, along with smart parking solutions and pricing reforms.

Recognising road dust as a major contributor to pollution, the government said it would deploy mechanical road sweepers, water sprinklers, anti-smog guns and mist spray systems on a large scale, with all operations monitored through GPS tracking and a centralised dashboard.

Nearly 3,500 km of roads are to be redeveloped with paved surfaces, green buffers and utility ducts, while construction-related pollution will be monitored through an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled C&D Portal 2.0 for real-time tracking, geo-tagging and enforcement, officials said.

The government has also set deadlines for clearing legacy landfill sites, such as Okhla by July 2026, Bhalswa by December 2026 and Ghazipur by December 2027, and have said that strict action would be taken against biomass burning and non-compliant industrial units.

The city's air quality monitoring network will be expanded, and a centralised Green War Room and Integrated Command and Control Centre will be set up to strengthen environmental governance, they added.

Ward-level "Vayu Rakshak" teams will also be deployed and the 311 platform upgraded to improve citizen reporting and participation, they said.

The government has set a target of planting 70 lakh trees, shrubs and bamboo in 2026-27, with a long-term goal of over one crore plantations across the city.

Gupta said the action plan would also rely on innovation and public participation, with research institutions, technical experts and startups being involved in developing solutions to curb pollution.

"The Action Plan 2026 is not just about intent; it is a robust execution model with financial backing, strict timelines and accountability at every level. Clean air is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right, and we are committed to delivering it," she said.

The meeting was attended by cabinet ministers Pravesh Sahib Singh, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Pankaj Kumar Singh, chief secretary Rajiv Verma, representatives of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Traffic Police, and senior government officials, officials said.
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