Expressing concern over persistently poor air quality across the National Capital Region, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Friday issued a clutch of time-bound directions, in what critics say reflects a government finally being forced to act after years of warnings and winter emergencies.

Chairing a high-level meeting with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and senior officials from the Centre and NCR states, Yadav said corrective steps must now deliver “visible improvement” within a week.

He stressed strict enforcement against violators, while cautioning authorities against inconveniencing the public—an admission, opposition leaders argue, that poor execution has long compounded the crisis. The minister also announced that from January 2026, air quality action plans—currently being finalised—will be reviewed every month at the ministerial level.

Key directions include easing traffic at 62 identified congestion hotspots, immediate removal of dust and construction and demolition (C&D) waste from roads, curbing biomass burning, and staggering work hours for offices, malls and commercial complexes. Progress will be reviewed again in 15 days, underlining the urgency imposed by deteriorating air rather than proactive governance, critics said.

The meeting emphasised end-to-end public transport solutions on high-traffic corridors and intensified action against illegal and polluting industrial units—problems that environmental groups note have persisted despite repeated advisories.

Authorities in Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Noida were told to fast-track the Integrated Smart Traffic Management System, while traffic police were instructed to ensure enforcement does not itself worsen congestion, highlighting coordination gaps on the ground.

Yadav also called for coordinated planning with Delhi Metro and state agencies to improve last-mile connectivity across NCR cities. Orders were issued to clear encroachments causing traffic bottlenecks within 10 days, ensure annual maintenance contracts for pothole-free roads, and strengthen drainage to prevent monsoon damage—measures urban planners say should have been routine long ago.

On waste management, CAQM was asked to permit demolition only where C&D waste collection sub-centres exist within a 10 km radius, and to enforce a ban on such activity between October and December. The regulator was also urged to explore start-up and private-sector partnerships for innovative waste solutions, a move activists see as belated amid rampant violations.

Stubble burning again featured prominently, with Haryana directed to replace defunct crop residue management machines, boost paddy straw utilisation and promote pelletisation plants with central support.

Decentralised options such as compressed bio-gas and ethanol plants were proposed to generate revenue while discouraging residue burning—ideas that have circulated for years with limited on-ground impact.

The minister ordered sealing of illegal tyre-burning units and other unauthorised polluting establishments across Delhi-NCR, and mandated installation of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems in all polluting units by 31 December, particularly in Haryana. Observers noted that repeated deadlines have previously slipped without consequences.

The meeting brought together senior officials from multiple Union ministries, NCR state governments, municipal bodies, pollution control boards and transport agencies. Directions were also issued for society-wise solid waste collection and joint disposal of legacy waste at the Bandhwari facility by Faridabad and Gurugram.

Despite the flurry of directives, critics maintain that the government’s reactive posture—triggered once again by worsening air—raises uncomfortable questions about accountability, long-term planning and why decisive action has come only when the crisis has reached alarming levels.

With IANS inputs