Delhi-NCR To Expand Air Quality Monitoring Network

13 Feb 2026 CW Team

Six of the new stations have been installed in Delhi, while seven in Haryana, four in Rajasthan and 10 in Uttar Pradesh are being installed. The existing network includes 40 stations in Delhi, 22 in Haryana-NCR, four in Rajasthan-NCR and 18 in Uttar Pradesh-NCR. Staged installation will maintain continuity and allow validation of data streams.

Deliberations set scientific criteria to ensure monitoring density reflects population distribution and land use, including residential, traffic, industrial and background areas. Urban contiguity and rapid peri-urban expansion were considered, with a shift towards grid-based spatial coverage to provide even representation. Background and border stations were identified as necessary to understand pollutant transport and baseline conditions affecting Delhi-NCR.

Norms have been framed for Delhi and contiguous cities such as Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad and Sonepat, targeting approximately one station per 25 sq. km grid, defined as a five km by five km area, while other district headquarters will have one station per 50 sq. km. Coverage in peri-urban and suburban areas is critical for assessing inflow and outflow of pollution and the impact of urban sprawl on regional air quality. The grid approach is intended to balance population based needs with land use and deployment considerations.

On this basis, 46 additional stations, including 14 in Delhi, 16 in Haryana, one in Rajasthan and 15 in Uttar Pradesh, shall be installed to strengthen the monitoring infrastructure and ensure uniform coverage across Delhi-NCR. The total number of CAAQMS would rise to 157, comprising 60 in Delhi, 45 in Haryana, nine in Rajasthan and 43 in Uttar Pradesh. The Commission concluded that a dense and robust monitoring network is vital for identifying pollution sources, tracking trends and enabling timely policy action to mitigate air pollution in the region.

The Delhi-NCR air quality monitoring framework is being strengthened by augmenting the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) network to improve spatial coverage and data reliability. The initiative will enhance real-time surveillance and support policy for pollution abatement. The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas has reviewed the planned addition of 27 new CAAQMS above the existing 84 stations. Six of the new stations have been installed in Delhi, while seven in Haryana, four in Rajasthan and 10 in Uttar Pradesh are being installed. The existing network includes 40 stations in Delhi, 22 in Haryana-NCR, four in Rajasthan-NCR and 18 in Uttar Pradesh-NCR. Staged installation will maintain continuity and allow validation of data streams. Deliberations set scientific criteria to ensure monitoring density reflects population distribution and land use, including residential, traffic, industrial and background areas. Urban contiguity and rapid peri-urban expansion were considered, with a shift towards grid-based spatial coverage to provide even representation. Background and border stations were identified as necessary to understand pollutant transport and baseline conditions affecting Delhi-NCR. Norms have been framed for Delhi and contiguous cities such as Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad and Sonepat, targeting approximately one station per 25 sq. km grid, defined as a five km by five km area, while other district headquarters will have one station per 50 sq. km. Coverage in peri-urban and suburban areas is critical for assessing inflow and outflow of pollution and the impact of urban sprawl on regional air quality. The grid approach is intended to balance population based needs with land use and deployment considerations. On this basis, 46 additional stations, including 14 in Delhi, 16 in Haryana, one in Rajasthan and 15 in Uttar Pradesh, shall be installed to strengthen the monitoring infrastructure and ensure uniform coverage across Delhi-NCR. The total number of CAAQMS would rise to 157, comprising 60 in Delhi, 45 in Haryana, nine in Rajasthan and 43 in Uttar Pradesh. The Commission concluded that a dense and robust monitoring network is vital for identifying pollution sources, tracking trends and enabling timely policy action to mitigate air pollution in the region.

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..