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Haryana to Add 23 Air Quality Monitors in NCR by July

The Haryana government announced plans to set up 23 additional air quality monitoring stations in the National Capital Region, increasing the total to 52 by July. A comprehensive review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi also revealed plans for an aggregator policy to regulate transport services. The state aims to eliminate legacy solid waste within 11 months and develop model dust-free roads in key NCR jurisdictions. Officials emphasized the need for strict enforcement of pollution norms and adoption of technology to monitor vehicular emissions.

Key Points: Haryana Adding 23 Air Quality Stations in NCR

  • 23 new air quality stations to be set up in NCR by July
  • Aggregator policy to regulate cab and ride-sharing services
  • Legacy solid waste targeted for elimination in 11 months
  • Model dust-free roads to be developed in NCR areas
3 min read

Haryana to set up 23 additional air quality monitoring stations in NCR

Haryana will set up 23 new air quality monitoring stations in NCR, targeting 52 total by July. The state also plans a new aggregator policy and dust-free roads.

"Sustained coordination across sectors is essential for long-term improvement in air quality. - Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi"

Chandigarh, April 24

The Haryana government will set up 23 additional air quality monitoring stations in the National Capital Region, increasing the total to 52 by July.

The state will also soon introduce an aggregator policy to regulate transport services, while legacy solid waste is targeted for complete elimination within 11 months. This information came to light at a comprehensive review meeting on air quality management in the NCR, chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi here.

The Chief Secretary directed all departments to strictly adhere to timelines, stressing that sustained coordination across sectors is essential for long-term improvement in air quality.

Rastogi directed Commissioners of Municipal Corporations in the NCR areas, as well as the Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authorities, to identify key roads -- at least five in each jurisdiction -- for development or redevelopment as model dust-free stretches.

He asked them to prepare comprehensive plans with clear timelines for all milestones, from detailed project report (DPR) preparation to final completion for this year. He emphasised that emissions from transport, construction and demolition activities, and industries must be tackled through precise planning and time-bound action on the ground.

Additional Chief Secretary (Environment) Sudhir Raj Pal stressed the need for checking vehicular pollution across the region. He said enforcement of pollution norms must be strengthened and checking drives intensified, particularly on heavily trafficked corridors, to identify and penalise grossly polluting vehicles.

Pal also highlighted the need to adopt cutting-edge technology to monitor emissions from moving vehicles and issue challans accordingly.

Chief Secretary Rastogi directed the Transport Department to collate data from Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres, including the number of cases where certificates were refused and instances where vehicles exceeded prescribed emission norms.

Principal Secretary (Transport) Raja Shekhar Vundru said the department would soon introduce an aggregator policy to regulate cab and ride-sharing services in the state.

The policy aims to bring a large fleet of privately operated vehicles under a structured regulatory framework, ensuring compliance with emission standards and contributing to the reduction of transport-related pollution.

He said that in compliance with directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management, diesel auto-rickshaws have nearly been phased out from major NCR districts as per timelines. In the remaining NCR areas, they will be phased out by December 31.

He also briefed the meeting on the Naya Safar Yojana, under which nearly 1.9 lakh old trucks and 16,000 buses will be phased out and replaced with cleaner BS-VI, CNG and electric vehicles through financial incentives.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
As someone who moved from London to Gurgaon for work, this is good but feels late. In UK we had real-time pollution alerts everywhere. The aggregator policy is a start—those old diesel autos and cabs definitely need stricter checks, especially around Cyber City. Let's see enforcement. 😷
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Priya S
Hope this isn't just another paper plan—we have seen so many promises on pollution. Model dust-free roads in 5 places per jurisdiction? That's too little too late! We need action across entire districts. Also, what about stubble burning? That's the main culprit in winters. Don't ignore agriculture side. 🙏
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James A
Good move to use technology for monitoring emissions from moving vehicles—that's how it's done in California. But the real test is whether they can implement without loopholes. The aggregator policy regulating cabs is overdue—Ola and Uber have been running with zero pollution accountability. Hope this works. 🚗
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Kavya N
Encouraging to see clear timelines—52 stations by July and elimination of legacy waste in 11 months. But I worry about the dust-free road plan. Without strict enforcement of construction site rules and prohibition of burning waste, these models won't scale. Also, why only NCR? Whole Haryana needs this. ❄️
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Michael C
The Naya Safar Yojana targeting 1.9 lakh old trucks is ambitious—but will drivers actually shift to electric/CNG if subsidies aren't high enough? Phasing out diesel autos by Dec 31 is tight and could leave thousands without income if transition isn't supported. Need to balance environment with livelihoods

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