The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) in the past couple of years has taken multiple steps to improve the quality of air in Delhi, which have shown early signs of success. However, tackling a problem statement as complex as air pollution requires a comprehensive approach.

To manage the existing programs of the GNCTD and to enable the integration of an evidence-based approach to inform policy actions, the Govt. of Delhi in July 2021 set up a Programme Management Unit (PMU) in partnership with the “Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago in India (EPIC-India)”. The PMU is working on several key initiatives on reducing pollution contributors and incorporating strategies for improving air quality in the region by providing support in the following core areas: Development of a Clean Air Action Plan for NCT of Delhi, Monitoring of the Delhi Source Apportionment study, Pollution Hotspot Management, Establishing a Green War Room, Citizen Engagement through wide usage of the Green Delhi application, and Plastic and E-waste management.

The establishment of the PMU within the Environment Department of GNCTD unleashes a critical partnership between policymakers and academicians to solve Delhi’s Air Quality. This collaboration aimed at formulating interventions and policy recommendations would support the Government of NCT of Delhi in identifying and reducing pollution contributors in the region, by adopting focused initiatives on limiting vehicular pollution, road and construction dust generation, prevention of biomass and landfill burning, as well as provide support on key citizen engagement initiatives that supports dust management and adoption of greening specific initiatives.