CAQM Issues New Directives to Curb Open Waste Burning in Delhi-NCR, UP, and Haryana

New Delhi: With air pollution in Delhi-NCR reaching hazardous levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued strict new directives to curb the open burning of waste across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The commission has also instructed authorities to submit monthly compliance reports to monitor progress.

Key Directives for Delhi

• Legacy Waste Clearance: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) must eliminate 1.4309 million metric tons of legacy waste by December 2027.
• Monthly Processing Targets: Approximately 350,000 metric tons of waste must be processed every month, with monthly reports submitted to CAQM.
• Expansion of Facilities: All waste processing facilities must be upgraded without delay to ensure timely waste management.
• Enhanced Monitoring: Sensitive waste disposal points should be monitored closely, and free waste transportation should be arranged from these locations.

Haryana Action Plan

• Legacy Waste Delays: Cities like Gurugram and Faridabad are lagging in clearing legacy waste.
• Gurugram: MCD must complete tenders for processing 1.4 million metric tons of legacy waste by 20 January 2026, with biomining operations starting from 31 March 2026.
• Faridabad: Authorities have two months to identify land for decentralized processing facilities, with operations starting by April 2026.
• Bulk Waste Generators: All bulk waste generators across Haryana must ensure proper waste processing.

Uttar Pradesh Measures

• Legacy Waste Delays: Cities including Noida and Ghaziabad are behind schedule in disposing of legacy waste.
• Mandates for GNIDA and Local Municipalities: Authorities must meet deadlines for legacy waste clearance and submit monthly action plans.
• Facility Deadlines: Noida Authority, GNIDA, and Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation have been instructed not to extend deadlines for waste processing facilities.
• Sensitive Points: Critical waste collection points must be identified, and free waste removal must be ensured.

The CAQM’s directives come amid rising complaints of open waste burning in the region, especially during winters, which has significantly worsened air quality. Authorities are now under strict scrutiny to comply with the new measures to protect public health and the environment.

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