The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has intervened to address the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR, ordering strict action against polluting vehicles and instructing officials to accelerate the expansion of the city’s EV ecosystem. The high-level review was held as Delhi’s average air quality stayed in the “very poor” category for the second consecutive week, with some localities slipping into “severe” levels.
During the meeting, chaired by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, officials were asked to step up enforcement against vehicles flouting emission norms, sources said. The review also highlighted that 37% of vehicles in Delhi-NCR still fall under the outdated BS I to BS III categories.
Sources said the Prime Minister’s Office is directly tracking pollution sources, and stricter action is expected in the coming days.
Since November 11, Delhi’s AQI has fluctuated between ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ levels, driven by stubble burning and rising vehicular emissions.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the central pollution watchdog, has already enforced tougher emergency measures under a revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
All government and private institutions in Delhi have been instructed to adopt staggered work hours and ensure that at least 50% of their staff work from home.