The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Delhi government have unveiled a package of measures to tackle air pollution across the city. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on 13 October 2026 reviewed pollution control efforts at Anand Vihar, a major pollution hotspot, and inaugurated new monitoring infrastructure and clean transport assets.
Key facts
- 150 new electric buses flagged off at Swami Vivekanand ISBT, Anand Vihar
- 5 public EV charging stations virtually inaugurated at ISBT Anand Vihar, Nand Nagri depot, Rohini Sector-37 depot, Nangloi depot and Keshopur depot
- 13 new Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) installed across Delhi
- Total CAAQMS network in Delhi expanded from 47 to 60 stations
- Air quality monitors now cover one station per 25 square km (5 km by 5 km grid) across Delhi
- Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at Shastri Park now operational with 9 of 15 planned data systems connected
- 13 new monitoring stations located at sites including schools, water board facilities and Badarpur NTPC Eco Park
What changed at Anand Vihar hotspot
Anand Vihar has faced persistent air pollution due to multiple sources: heavy traffic at the bus terminal, unpaved roads and parking areas, construction waste dumping, open burning, and dust from incomplete terminal paving. The environment ministry assigned pollution control measures to 11 government agencies working together.
Short-term actions completed include paving of internal roads, removal of roadside encroachments, deployment of green netting and dust control at construction sites, clearing of illegal construction and demolition waste, and reduction of traffic congestion. Long-term greening activities are also underway. According to the Union Environment Minister, these coordinated efforts have now contained the pollution problem at this hotspot.
How the monitoring network works
Delhi had 47 existing air quality monitoring stations run by multiple agencies including the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The addition of 13 new stations brings the total to 60.
The new grid places one monitoring station per 25 square kilometres across Delhi, with plans to expand this coverage to other National Capital Region cities. The stations measure particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), air quality and meteorological data in real time. Data flows to the CPCB server and is available on the SAMEER mobile app for public access. Coverage in suburban and peri-urban areas is intended to measure pollution flowing into and out of the city.
The Integrated Command and Control Centre
The DPCC operates the AI-enabled Integrated Command and Control Centre at Shastri Park as a unified digital platform. It brings together data on air quality, dust control sites, ambient noise levels, industrial emissions, stubble burning incidents, citizen complaints and enforcement vehicle locations. This allows real-time monitoring, data-driven decisions and coordinated action across departments.
The centre is designed to connect 15 external data systems. Nine have been integrated so far, with the remaining six being connected in phases. The system uses AI-powered cameras and GPS tracking for round-the-clock pollution monitoring.
Electric mobility expansion
The 150 new electric buses add to Delhi’s public transport fleet and aim to reduce emissions from diesel buses. Five public charging stations for electric vehicles have been set up at major transport hubs and depots across the city at Anand Vihar ISBT, Nand Nagri, Rohini, Nangloi and Keshopur. These facilities support residents and commercial operators switching to electric vehicles.
What this means for you
Delhi residents now have access to real-time air quality data through the expanded monitoring network and SAMEER app, enabling informed decisions about outdoor activities and health precautions. The 150 new electric buses reduce air pollutants from transport. If you own a vehicle, the five new EV charging stations make switching to electric power more practical. The coordinated pollution control at Anand Vihar should improve air quality in one of the city’s most congested areas. The expansion of monitoring to a 5 km by 5 km grid means pollution sources across more neighbourhoods will be tracked and enforcement action can be targeted.