NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav has called for stronger grassroots-level public participation to tackle air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), urging Mayors and representatives of urban local bodies to take the lead in implementing clean air measures, according to PIB release.
The dialogue, involving Mayors and local representatives from 63 NCR cities, was the first large-scale engagement organised by the Ministry with elected representatives of urban local bodies on air pollution.
Yadav said scientific and data-based measures to control air pollution must reach the grassroots, with public representatives playing a key role in turning action plans into effective measures on the ground. He urged Mayors and local representatives to lead by example and encourage citizens to prevent avoidable pollution and create cleaner and healthier urban areas.
He said urban local bodies are the first responders and can bring significant change through guided action, giving them an important role in tackling air pollution.
Highlighting the rapid expansion of urban areas and the resulting increase in solid waste, the Minister stressed the need to effectively implement the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and the Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Management Rules, 2025.
He called on public representatives to understand the powers and responsibilities of local bodies in air pollution control and solid waste management. He also urged them to take the first positive steps towards creating examples that can be adopted by other communities.
Focus on biomass burning and green cover
Yadav urged local bodies to increase green cover by planting local and drought-resistant grass species along roads to help reduce dust pollution.
He also called for more opportunities for citizens to participate in keeping areas clean, preventing plastic use and biomass burning, and checking pollution caused by non-conforming industries and vehicles.
The Minister said more than 25 continuous review meetings have been held at the Union level with NCR municipal bodies and State Governments. He also highlighted his discussions with the Chief Ministers of NCR States and the preparation of detailed action plans to address air pollution.
He urged elected representatives to work closely with municipal bodies and ensure that these plans are implemented effectively at the grassroots level.
Centre to provide technical support
Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has created the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) as a centralised institutional mechanism for implementing air quality management measures in the NCR.
He assured local bodies that the Ministry and CAQM would provide full technical support, including access to technical resources and action plans, to strengthen implementation at the local level.
The meeting concluded with Yadav administering a Clean Air Pledge to the public representatives present and urging them to work with citizens in their respective areas towards better air quality management.
Earlier, participants were given two presentations on air pollution control measures in Delhi-NCR. Another presentation covered the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and the Construction & Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2025.
The presentations were aimed at informing public representatives about the key features of the government’s initiatives and creating awareness about their duties, responsibilities and powers in air pollution control and solid waste management.
