New Delhi, December 22, 2025
The Delhi Government has stepped up its multi-pronged offensive against air pollution, intensifying enforcement against polluting industries and tightening compliance across sectors as restrictions under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) continue to show early results. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Monday that industries violating pollution norms will be sealed immediately, asserting that the government will allow “no room for complacency” in its mission to clean the city’s air.
Officials said the intensified drive against polluting industrial units has been launched across the capital from today. Units found flouting air-pollution standards will face immediate sealing without further notice. Industries that fail to apply for mandatory Online Environmental Clearance Mechanism certification by the December 31 deadline will also be proceeded against, the Minister said.
Sirsa said the strict measures enforced under GRAP-4 over the past four days have begun delivering visible results, with measurable improvement in air quality across several parts of the city. He added that enforcement agencies have been instructed to maintain sustained pressure to ensure that gains are not reversed.
Providing details of the ongoing transport-related crackdown, the Environment Minister said that since the implementation of the “No PUC, No Fuel” rule, over two lakh vehicles have undergone Pollution Under Control testing. Of these, around 10,000 vehicles failed to meet prescribed emission standards. According to the Minister, the figures reflect the seriousness with which enforcement measures are being implemented and underline the scale of vehicular pollution in the capital.
To strengthen the PUC ecosystem, the government is upgrading all PUC centres with modern, high-capacity equipment to reduce waiting time and improve accuracy in emission testing. A third-party inspection mechanism is also being introduced to enhance transparency and credibility in certification. Technical teams from the Transport Department have been deployed for continuous on-ground monitoring to prevent malpractice and ensure uniform enforcement across the city.
Action against polluting industries is being carried out in coordination with civic and regulatory agencies. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee are jointly identifying illegal and unauthorised industrial units operating within city limits. All such units are liable for closure, officials said, adding that the government is aiming for full compliance to protect public health and the environment.
The Environment Minister said dust control remains a key focus area. Round-the-clock mechanical cleaning and water sprinkling of roads are being undertaken to suppress dust emissions, particularly along arterial roads and construction-heavy zones. Simultaneously, large-scale bio-mining operations are continuing at landfill sites, with nearly 35,000 metric tonnes of legacy waste being scientifically processed and removed every day. These efforts are aimed at flattening long-standing waste dumps and reducing dust-related pollution.
Sirsa also highlighted progress in the government’s plan to rejuvenate the city’s water bodies. Many water bodies in Delhi have disappeared or become encroached over the years, contributing to ecological degradation. The government’s stated target is to revive at least 50 per cent of such long-vanished water bodies and restore them to their original ecological form in the coming days. According to the Minister, the revival of natural water bodies plays an important role in controlling local dust pollution and improving the city’s overall environmental balance.
On workplace restrictions under GRAP-4, Sirsa warned that private offices not complying with the 50 per cent work-from-home directive will face action. He said while citizens’ convenience is important, public health cannot be compromised, and all stakeholders must adhere strictly to pollution-control directives issued during high-pollution periods.
Responding to reports of technical issues with Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras, the Minister said the Transport Department is examining the matter. He alleged that inefficiencies in existing systems were a legacy issue, adding that complaints have surfaced even in areas where better performance was expected.
Taking a sharp political swipe, Sirsa criticised the former Chief Minister, accusing him of remaining absent from Delhi during periods of crisis and resurfacing only for public appearances. He said those who governed the city for a decade and left behind a legacy of pollution, mismanagement and corruption lacked the moral authority to comment on Delhi’s environmental situation.
The Environment Minister thanked Delhi’s residents and government officials for their cooperation and appealed for continued public participation. He said the government is moving ahead with determination to make Delhi’s air cleaner and safer, stressing that sustained enforcement and collective responsibility are essential to securing a healthier capital.
