The Commission for Air Quality Management has recently undertaken a comprehensive review of municipal solid waste (MSW) management across NCR states and the National Capital Territory of Delhi, with a focus on preventing open burning of waste and biomass that continues to impact regional air quality.

The review was conducted through multiple meetings with NCR state governments, municipal bodies and pollution control boards to assess enforcement, segregation, legacy waste remediation, processing capacity and compliance with statutory directions. The Commission observed that MSW management remains a critical concern, particularly during winter months, due to its direct link with air pollution episodes.

In Delhi, CAQM noted persistent incidents of open MSW and biomass burning despite available infrastructure, pointing to gaps in enforcement and monitoring. Directions were issued to expedite remediation of over 143 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste by December 2027, enhance waste processing capacity without timeline extensions, strengthen surveillance at vulnerable points and accelerate door-to-door segregation and zero-waste colony initiatives. Bulk waste generators were instructed to ensure on-site wet waste processing, while the DPCC was tasked with tighter monitoring and monthly compliance reporting.

Across Haryana’s NCR districts, delays in legacy waste remediation and processing infrastructure were flagged, particularly in Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat. Municipal bodies were directed to fast-track tendering, biomining operations, decentralised processing facilities and stricter enforcement against open burning, with the Haryana State Pollution Control Board designated as the nodal agency for data validation.

In Uttar Pradesh’s NCR areas, the Commission highlighted uneven segregation practices and coordination gaps. Urban authorities in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad were directed to complete remediation within committed timelines, ensure spill-free waste transportation, prevent horticulture waste burning and achieve full end-to-end segregation, supported by enhanced surveillance and complaint redressal.

For Rajasthan’s NCR towns, including Bharatpur, Alwar and Bhiwadi, CAQM found progress on remediation and segregation to be inadequate. Urban local bodies were instructed to complete legacy waste remediation, augment processing facilities without extensions, enforce wet waste processing by bulk generators and scale up zero-waste colonies, with the state pollution control board overseeing compliance.

The Commission will continue close monitoring, seek periodic compliance reports and undertake follow-up reviews to ensure effective implementation of the directions issued.