More monitoring stations, electric mobility, expansion of public transport: Delhi’s action plan to fight air pollution
Transport and mobility interventions account for a major share of the proposed actions. The plan details the expansion of the Delhi Metro and Namo Bharat (RRTS) network across operational, under-construction and planned corridors.
With an aim to cut PM2.5 levels by 15% and PM10 levels by 20% in the Capital, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday made available the State Action Plan 2026 for the National Capital Region (NCR), outlining measurable targets across transport, waste management, road dust control and enforcement. It released city-wide plans drawn up for Noida, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and Alwar. The NCR state governments prepared their action plans, including those for cities, and shared them recently with the CAQM.
Delhi is lagging behind its targets set under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the
Centreās flagship initiative to tackle severe air pollution. It managed only a 16% drop in PM 10 levels against a target of 22%. As far as PM 2.5 levels are concerned, the Capital ranked second most polluted in the country for the month of January at 169 Āµg/mĀ³ after Ghaziabad at 184 Āµg/mĀ³, as per the recent analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The WHO 24-hour air quality guideline limits particulate matter to 15āÆĀµg/mĀ³ for PM2.5 and 45āÆĀµg/mĀ³ for PM10.
Strengthening air quality monitoring is a key component of the CAQMās 2026 plan. The number of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) in Delhi will be increased from 40 to 46 by January 2026. Audits of existing monitoring stations have been initiated, while online continuous emission monitoring systems are being expanded across industrial units, it said.
Pollution control boards are also set to be strengthened, with most sanctioned posts already filled, it noted.
Transport and mobility interventions account for a major share of the proposed actions. The plan details the expansion of the Delhi Metro and Namo Bharat (RRTS) network across operational, under-construction and planned corridors.
According to the city’s annual plan, Delhi has received Rs 81.34 crore from the 15th Finance Commission so far, including Rs 38.67 crore between August and October 2025. Of this, Rs 26 crore has already been utilised, taking fund utilisation to about 32%, with additional expenditures under various stages of procurement and execution. The air quality targets have been fixed against the average levels of the previous five years and are backed by sector-wise timelines.
Transport and mobility interventions account for a major share of the proposed actions. The plan details the expansion of the Delhi Metro and Namo Bharat (RRTS) network across operational, under-construction and planned corridors.
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City bus services are to be augmented to bridge a gap of more than 5,700 buses in Delhi, while last-mile connectivity will be strengthened through e-buses, e-autos, e-rickshaws and feeder services.
Electric mobility is another focus area, with the EV policy slated for revision by March 2026. Delhi is projected to require over 36,000 EV charging points, against fewer than 9,000 available as of December 2025, and quarterly targets have been set to close this gap. Battery-swapping infrastructure is also proposed to be scaled up.
The action plan addresses major non-transport pollution sources in detail. Legacy waste remediation targets have been fixed for landfill sites, with Okhla to be cleared by July 2026, Bhalswa by December 2026, and Ghazipur by December 2027. Municipal solid waste processing capacity is to be augmented through new bio-CNG and biogas plants, while construction and demolition waste management will be strengthened through additional processing facilities and higher utilisation of recycled material, as per the plan.
Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai.
Professional Background
Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education.
Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses:
1. The Air Pollution Crisis
"A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure.
"Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR.
"Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter.
2. Enforcement & Regulations
"No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy.
3. Education Policy
"Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025.
"Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation.
Signature Style
Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhiās environmental laws.
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