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Delhi's Air Crisis: New CAQM Chief Takes Charge Amid Pollution Battle

Tarun Kumar Pithode has officially taken charge as the new Member Secretary of the Commission for Air Quality Management. His appointment comes at a critical time when Delhi's air quality has already dipped into the 'poor' category. The city has activated Stage-II measures under the Graded Response Action Plan to combat worsening pollution. Meanwhile, the Delhi government is implementing a comprehensive Winter Action Plan with strict enforcement across multiple departments.

Key Points: Tarun Kumar Pithode Appointed CAQM Member Secretary

  • Pithode appointed for five-year term until September 2029 as CAQM chief
  • Delhi recorded poor AQI of 296, triggering Stage-II GRAP measures
  • Winter Action Plan includes 25 points across seven pollution themes
  • Green War Room to coordinate 30 agencies for real-time monitoring
  • Citizens urged to use Green Delhi App and follow GRAP advisories
2 min read

NCR air woes: Tarun Kumar Pithode takes charge on key position in CAQM

IAS officer Tarun Kumar Pithode takes charge as CAQM Member Secretary for 5-year term, overseeing NCR's air quality management amid worsening pollution levels.

"Compliance will be non-negotiable this winter - dust control, construction norms, PNG-only industrial operations, and targeted enforcement are being scaled with precision and speed. - Manjinder Singh Sirsa"

New Delhi, Oct 23

Tarun Kumar Pithode, an officer of the 2009 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Madhya Pradesh Cadre, on Thursday took charge as the new full-time Member Secretary of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM).

Serving as the Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Pithode has now assumed the role of the Member-Secretary of the Commission, said an official statement.

He has been appointed for a tenure of five years up to September 8, 2029, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Pithode succeeds Arvind Kumar Nautiyal in this key position.

After Delhi recorded a daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 296 - ‘Poor’ category – on October 19, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the CAQM invoked a 12-point action plan as per Stage-II of the extant GRAP in the entire NCR.

On October 16, the Delhi government had initiated a comprehensive Winter Action Plan for 2025–26 to tackle the seasonal spike in air pollution between October and February.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the plan spans 25 action points under seven themes - road dust, vehicular emissions, industry and power, open burning and solid waste, citizen interface and monitoring, and green innovation - coordinating with over 30 departments and agencies across the capital, he said.

Sirsa directed senior officials to ensure strict, time-bound implementation and real-time monitoring through the Green War Room, with clear accountability across PWD, MCD, NDMC, DSIIDC, DPCC, Transport, Delhi Police, and allied agencies.

Emphasising preparedness, he stated: “Compliance will be non-negotiable this winter - dust control, construction norms, PNG-only industrial operations, and targeted enforcement are being scaled with precision and speed.”

The Environment Minister said that all 30 stakeholder agencies — including PWD, DDA, MCD, NDMC, DSIIDC, DPCC, and Delhi Police — have been directed to maintain daily coordination through the Green War Room.

“Citizens are our partners and they must use the Green Delhi App, follow GRAP advisories, and opt for public transport and EVs as the city scales e-mobility,” he said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Another IAS officer transfer... how many officers have we seen in this position? The problem is systemic - stubble burning, vehicle emissions, construction dust. We need permanent solutions, not just seasonal plans.
S
Sarah B
As someone who moved to Delhi recently, the air quality is genuinely concerning. Good to see the 25-point action plan, but implementation is key. Hope the Green War Room actually works and doesn't become another bureaucratic exercise.
A
Arjun K
Finally some accountability talk! "Compliance will be non-negotiable" - these are strong words from Minister Sirsa. Let's see if they actually enforce construction norms and dust control. Delhiites are tired of breathing poison every winter. 🤧
K
Karthik V
The Green Delhi App is a good initiative, but most citizens don't even know about it. Need better awareness campaigns. Also, public transport needs massive improvement if we want people to switch from private vehicles.
M
Michael C
Five-year tenure for Pithode is good - gives him time to implement long-term strategies. But coordinating 30 agencies sounds like a nightmare. Hope he has the political backing to make things happen. Wishing him the best! 🙏
N
Neha E
While I appreciate the efforts, I'm skeptical.

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