Delhi Government Forms Two New Committees to Combat Persistent Air Pollution Crisis

Delhi's AQI remained in the 'very poor' category on Saturday.

New Delhi: Following a high-level review meeting led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta two days prior, the Delhi government officially established an Expert Group on Air Pollution Mitigation and a High-Level Implementation Committee on Saturday.

This announcement coincided with Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) continuing to register in the 'very poor' category. The Central Pollution Control Board reported that Delhi's overall AQI at 9 pm was 319, with Mundka (381), Rohini (359), and Nehru Nagar (358) experiencing the worst conditions—areas that regularly feature on the city's pollution hotspot list.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa took to X to characterize the Expert Group as a "friend, philosopher and guide" to the government. The panel comprises senior atmospheric scientists, former environment ministry officials, and representatives from key statutory bodies including the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

"Both the Expert Group and the Implementation Committee shall work in close coordination - one serving as the brain, and the other as the arm of our collective effort. I firmly believe that with the concerted efforts of the Government and the people of Delhi, we will, God willing, soon prevail in this war against pollution," Sirsa stated on X.

The High-Level Implementation Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, has been established to ensure rigorous compliance with directives issued by the Delhi government, courts, and pollution-control authorities. Officials indicate this will enhance enforcement coordination across various agencies including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Public Works Department, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Delhi Development Authority, and the Delhi Police.

Experts' Take

Environmental advocates, however, point out that Delhi has witnessed numerous committees and expert panels over the years, many established under court or statutory directives, with minimal enduring impact on the city's air quality crisis.

According to experts, Delhi's winter smog represents a predictable, recurring crisis driven by local emissions, stubble burning, weather conditions with stagnant winds, and fragmented governance structures. Many contend that such a high-level panel should have been formed months before pollution levels began to escalate.