‘Jan Bhagidari’ to be the foundation of the campaign, multiple departments to work on pollution control: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
From ‘No PUCC, No Fuel’ to curbs on older vehicles, rules to be tightened to control pollution: CM Rekha Gupta
Phased restrictions on construction, 50% work from home and doubled parking charges to help ease pollution pressure
Public participation at the heart of clean-air campaign, every Delhiite urged to become a ‘Clean-Air Partner’: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
New Delhi, September 2026 : Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta has expressed her special gratitude to the Central Government, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav for their support in controlling pollution in Delhi and improving air quality across Delhi-NCR. The Chief Minister said that the Central Government’s unprecedented seriousness and the Delhi government’s sustained action could help bring pollution under control across Delhi-NCR. The Centre’s guidance and continued support are proving crucial in providing Delhi residents with a pollution-free environment. She said the Delhi government has prepared a comprehensive, prevention-focused and time-bound ‘Winter Action Plan 2026-27’, which will be implemented strictly with ‘Jan Bhagidari’ (public participation).
The Chief Minister said the entire strategy to combat pollution is based on the ‘whole-of-government’ and ‘whole-of-society’ approach. Under this, the Central Government, Delhi government, CAQM, CPCB, local bodies, Delhi Police, DMRC and other concerned agencies have been brought together. At the same time, ‘Jan Bhagidari’ has been made a key pillar of Delhi’s fight for clean air. She said pollution control was not a one-day exercise and that her government had been working on a focused and well-planned roadmap for the past year. Along with strict implementation of decisions at the ground level, coordination among all agencies and the use of advanced technologies were helping bring about a significant improvement in the situation. The Chief Minister outlined a 10-point action plan and stringent restrictions under the commitment to ‘Jan Bhagidari’, ‘our collective responsibility, our participation in clean air’, and said the plan would bring effective control over pollution in Delhi.
‘No PUCC, No Fuel’ and restrictions on entry of outside vehicles
From October 1, a special awareness and enforcement campaign will begin at all 500 petrol pumps in Delhi equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems. Vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate and those that have completed their prescribed lifespan will not be provided fuel. Under the Winter Action Plan, from November 1, 2026, there will be a complete ban on the entry of all diesel and petrol vehicles registered outside Delhi that are below the BS-VI emission standard. Only CNG and EV vehicles will be exempted.
Phased restrictions on construction and demolition activities
From November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027, all dust-generating demolition activities and outdoor civil construction works will be completely prohibited. From December 10, 2026, to January 20, 2027, a complete ban will be imposed on all types of construction and demolition work in Delhi. 100% CCTV coverage will be mandatory at all construction sites, and registration on the ‘Malba App’ will be required for approval of building plans.
50% work from home and changes in office timings
From November 1, under the winter protocol, work from home for 50% of employees in government and private offices, or two days of work from home per week, will be implemented. To reduce traffic pressure, the working hours of municipal corporation offices have been changed to 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, while Delhi government offices will function from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.
Doubled parking charges and focus on public transport
To reduce the use of private vehicles, parking charges at authorised parking sites in Delhi will be doubled, except at Metro parking facilities. Delhi currently has a fleet of 6,840 buses, including 5,088 e-buses. The target is to increase daily ridership on the Delhi Metro to 72 lakh and on DTC buses to 42 lakh. A download campaign for the ‘Delhi Metro Sarathi App’ will be conducted from October 1 to 10 to strengthen last-mile connectivity.
Road redevelopment and dust control
A target has been set for the redevelopment of 3,000 km of roads to control dust generated from roads, of which work on 1,193 km has already been completed. The concrete work has been given a deadline of October 31, 2026, while the bitumen work is to be completed by November 15, 2026. Alongside road reconstruction, work on deep cleaning, mechanised cleaning, water sprinkling, creating paved surfaces across roads, improving footpaths, removing garbage accumulation points and increasing green cover on vacant land is being expedited.
Weekly monitoring of hotspots and traffic improvement
Public representatives (MPs, MLAs and councillors) and nodal officers will conduct weekly inspections at all 37 air-quality and traffic hotspots in Delhi. Work is underway to make 15 major road stretches signal-free and congestion-free by October, with eight already completed. Special, location-specific action will be taken at hotspots affected by pollution and traffic congestion. District nodal secretaries/commissioners have been appointed for monitoring and implementation, while public representatives, RWAs, traders and traffic police will be involved in ground-level action.
Deep cleaning, ‘Zero Burning’ and heating booths
A total of 98 Mechanical Road Sweeping (MRS) machines have been deployed in two shifts for road cleaning. Deep cleaning of all major roads will be completed by October 31. To prevent the open burning of waste and biomass, directions have been issued to conduct a ‘Zero Burning’ pledge campaign and set up heating booths for security guards. A total of 100 ‘Atal Canteens’ providing meals to those in need at ₹5 are currently operational.
Scrappage incentives and industrial enforcement
Financial incentives are being provided under the ‘Parivartan Yojana’ and the EV Policy 2026 to promote the scrapping of old vehicles and encourage electric vehicles. In a campaign to curb industrial pollution, 2,283 polluting units have been sealed or shut down following a survey of 11,271 units. In addition, out of 434 acres of vacant land, 433 acres have been made green. A special audit will be conducted in March 2027 to ensure the survival rate of plants.
AI command centre and wider public participation
From October 1, the AI-enabled Command and Control Centre will become fully operational. A total of 334 enforcement teams will work round the clock in two shifts. Citizens can register their complaints on the ‘Green Delhi App’, while a dedicated portal for citizens’ suggestions is also being launched from October 1.
Strict action against polluting industrial units
Industries that fail to comply with the rules will be shut down, while strict action will also be taken against polluting industrial units operating in non-conforming areas. To strengthen enforcement, a total of 334 enforcement teams will be deployed, including 256 ward teams from the MCD, NDMC and Delhi Cantonment Board and 78 teams from the DPCC. They will be monitored round the clock in two shifts.
The Chief Minister said technical solutions were being adopted to reduce emissions from cremation grounds, while efforts were being made to improve the availability of electric crematoriums and create greater awareness about them among economically weaker sections. The Central Government and the Delhi government are working together. Our agencies are ready, responsibilities have been assigned, timelines are being monitored and our winter action plan is already in place. But the biggest strength of this effort will be the participation of the people of Delhi.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta appealed to Delhi residents to become a ‘Clean-Air Partner’ this winter and use public transport, opt for carpooling, adopt cleaner modes of transport, refrain from burning waste, keep their PUCC valid, control dust, segregate waste, protect greenery and report pollution. She said that small individual steps, when taken together, can bring about a very big change.
