By Sarthak Takyar
This article extends the discussion started in an article titled “Clearing the Air: Pollution crisis demands clean energy solutions and stronger governance” in the January 2026 issue of Renewable Watch. At the time of writing that article, the Supreme Court had ordered the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas to bring together domain experts and come up with a uniform and unanimous opinion on the causes of deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR. The CAQM released the report on January 19, 2026.
According to the report, air pollution in Delhi-NCR continues to be driven by a mix of primary and secondary sources, with distinct seasonal shifts in contribution. In winter, secondary particulate matter (transformed from gaseous emissions from transport, industries and biomass burning) is the single largest contributor at 27 per cent, followed by transport at 23 per cent and biomass burning (includes municipal solid waste, residential waste and crop-residue burning) at 20 per cent. Dust (road, soil, and construction and demolition activities) accounts for 15 per cent, industry (including thermal power plants) contributes 9 per cent, and other sources add 6 per cent. In summer, the profile changes notably: dust emerges as the dominant source at 27 per cent, while transport contributes 19 per cent and secondary particulates account for 17 per cent. Industrial emissions rise to 14 per cent, biomass burning declines to 12 per cent, and other sources increase to 11 per cent. The typical average PM2.5 concentration in winter (November-February) is 178 µg/m³, while in summer (March-June) it is 73 µg/m³. Further, air quality in Delhi-NCR exhibits a seasonal pattern shaped by shifting meteorological conditions. Winter (December–February) records the lowest temperatures, weakest winds and Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) heights of the year, making it the worst season for air quality, as dispersion is significantly suppressed. With the onset of summer (March–May), increasing temperatures, wind speeds and PBL heights enhance vertical mixing and dispersion, providing relative relief and reducing pollutant concentrations.
With respect to the clean mobility and energy sector, the report points out that while diesel-based public and local commercial fleets have largely been replaced with CNG vehicles, and the phase-out of ageing vehicles is in progress, the sector continues to exert a significant impact on air quality. All coal-fired power plants in Delhi have been decommissioned, and TPPs in general have a mandate to co-fire biomass pellets. In the absence of adequate awareness, unorganised burning of garbage is often viewed as a convenient disposal option, particularly where collection systems are irregular. In addition, despite multiple initiatives to address stubble management, many farmers continue to burn crop residue as a low-cost and quick method to prepare fields for the subsequent sowing cycle. Thus, going forward, the report highlights scaling up of waste-to-energy and compressed biogas projects as key enablers for clearing the toxic air.
