Archive · 9 Jan 2026
CAQM Rebuked for Air Pollution Inaction
The Supreme Court scolded the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for not doing enough to fix Delhi's air pollution problem.
The court gave CAQM two weeks to find the biggest sources of pollution and make plans to fix them.
The court said that even after many years, not much has been done to make the air cleaner.
The Delhi government said the air was cleaner last year, but this was mostly because of rain.
The worst pollution months, from October to December, did not get better.
The court wants CAQM to work with experts to agree on what causes the most pollution and share this information with the public.
The court also said that pollution is not just Delhi's problem; other cities around Delhi also contribute to it.
Everyone needs to work together to fix this big problem.
The Supreme Court rebuked the CAQM for its lack of seriousness in tackling Delhi's air pollution crisis.
The court gave the CAQM two weeks to identify major pollution sources and outline long-term action plans.
The Delhi government claimed 2025 saw the cleanest air in eight years, but this was largely due to frequent monsoon rains.
The worst pollution months, from October to December, did not show meaningful improvement.
The court directed the CAQM to work with experts to arrive at a uniform identification of major pollution contributors.
- Who
- Supreme Court and Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
- What
- Supreme Court rebuked CAQM for inaction on air pollution and ordered identification of major pollution sources and long-term action plans
- When
- Tuesday
- Where
- Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR)
- Why
- To address the persistent air pollution crisis and lack of durable outcomes despite judicial intervention
- Organization
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
- Area Inspected
- New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area
- Date of Inspection
- Monday
- Number of Inspections
- 54
- Biomass/MSW Burning Locations
- 18
- MSW Dumping Locations
- 35
- Key Areas Covered
- Chanakyapuri, Sarojini Nagar, Connaught Place, Janpath, Parliament Street, Ashoka Road, Tilak Marg, Khan Market, Lodhi Estate, Pragati Maidan, India Gate
- Focus of Inspection
- Prevention of dumping and burning of municipal solid waste (MSW)/biomass
- NCAP Funds Allocated to Delhi
- Rs 113 crore
- NCAP Funds Utilized in Delhi
- Rs 14 crore (12%)
- NCAP Funds Allocated to Noida
- Rs 127 crore
- NCAP Funds Utilized in Noida
- Rs 30 crore (24%)
- NDMC Budget Surplus
- Rs 143.05 crore
- NDMC Total Expenditure
- Rs 5,810.02 crore
- NDMC Total Receipts
- Rs 5,953 crore
Sources
CAQM conducts inspection drive in NDMC area
Study by Foundation for Responsive Governance: Less than third of clean air fund spent in Delhi and Noida, the two of most polluted cities
NDMC presents surplus budget for 2026-27 fiscal; no property tax hike
Supreme Court reproach should be a wake-up call for pollution watchdog
Operation Clean Air: CAQM conducts inspection drive in NDMC area of Delhi; instances of MSW dumping and biomass burning identified
Air quality improves in city
19 construction sites in Navi Mumbai get stop-work notices for flouting anti-pollution norms
