New Delhi Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

Amid rising air pollution levels in the national capital, citizens and civil society groups have intensified their demand for stricter and more transparent measures to combat the crisis. Key demands include removing the cap on the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 500, issuing health-based pollution alerts, and ensuring public access to real-time emissions data.
The renewed push follows a report released by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which invited public suggestions. Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), social organizations, and parent groups have since submitted detailed recommendations, asserting that seasonal responses are no longer sufficient and that air pollution must be treated as a year-round public health emergency.


Demand to Remove AQI Cap and Ensure Transparency
Stakeholders argue that limiting AQI readings to a maximum of 500 masks the true severity of pollution levels. Experts contend that excluding extreme values—particularly high concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10—as “outliers” is scientifically inappropriate and undermines public awareness.
There have also been calls for:


Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Public disclosure of emissions data from thermal power plants and major industries
Real-time air quality data transparency
New Emission Inventory with 2026 as Base Year
According to the CAQM report, a fresh Emission Inventory and Source Apportionment Study will be prepared for Delhi-NCR, with 2026 designated as the base year. Experts believe this updated scientific mapping will enable more targeted and effective policy interventions by identifying the precise sources of pollution.


Focus on Road Management and Dust Control
Citizen groups have emphasized the urgent need for:
Removal of encroachments from roads and footpaths
Time-bound dust control measures
Strict monitoring of construction sites
They argue that deteriorating road conditions and unchecked dust not only worsen traffic congestion but also significantly contribute to particulate pollution.


Push to Declare Pollution a Year-Round Health Emergency
Parent advocacy groups such as Warrior Moms have urged authorities to stop treating pollution as merely a winter phenomenon. They demand that it be officially recognized as a perennial public health crisis, with clearly defined annual exposure reduction targets and strict compliance monitoring mechanisms.


Accountability and Transparency in Pollution Funds
RTI activists have called for greater transparency under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). They have demanded that expenditure details be made available on a public dashboard and that implementing agencies be held accountable for measurable outcomes.


An official indicated that the suggestions received are currently under review and that practical proposals may be considered for implementation

.
As toxic air continues to choke the capital, it is increasingly evident that citizens are no longer satisfied with assurances. The fight to save Delhi’s air is steadily transforming into a broader public movement demanding accountability, transparency, and decisive action.