To tackle the rising pollution in the national capital, the Delhi government has formed a new Expert Group on Air Pollution Mitigation to strengthen the city’s fight against toxic air and provide scientific
guidance for long-term solutions.
According to the officials cited by PTI, the panel has been created to offer clear, evidence-based advice on preventing, controlling, and managing the capital’s air quality challenges.
The group will help the government identify sector-specific interventions, evaluate new technologies, and suggest policy reforms aimed at tackling pollution caused by both human activity and natural factors.
Retired IAS officer and former Union Environment Secretary Leena Nandan will head the panel. The group also includes former CPCB member secretary Dr JS Kamyotra, IIT Delhi professor emeritus Mukesh Khare, IIT Kanpur professor emeritus Mukesh Sharma, TERI’s Circular Economy and Waste Management director Dr Suneel Pandey, and representatives from CAQM, IMD, APAG and PHDCCI.
The Delhi Environment and Forest Secretary will serve as a member, while the DPCC chairman will function as the member secretary.
The panel’s primary responsibility is to give independent, science-based and actionable recommendations to the government. It will review ongoing anti-pollution programmes, suggest policy improvements in line with global best practices, and provide corrective feedback on major decisions related to air quality. The group will meet at least once every month, either physically or virtually. The DPCC will provide logistical support.
The committee has been formed for an initial six-month term, with the government free to extend or alter its structure if required. All members have been instructed to maintain strict confidentiality regarding internal discussions and assessments.
Environment Minister Welcomes Move
Reacting to the development, Delhi Environment Minister said on X, “In a move that further underscores our commitment to mitigating air pollution in Delhi, the Delhi Government has constituted an Expert Group on Air Pollution Mitigation. This group will recommend measures for the prevention, control, abatement, and mitigation of air pollution in the National Capital. Comprising leading domain experts, the group will serve as a much-needed think tank acting as a friend, philosopher, and guide to the Delhi Government in its fight against pollution.”
In a move that further underscores our commitment to mitigating air pollution in Delhi, the Delhi Government has constituted an Expert Group on Air Pollution Mitigation.
This group will recommend measures for the prevention, control, abatement, and mitigation of air pollution in… pic.twitter.com/LOOM1Ye6pw
— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) December 6, 2025
He added that, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, a High-Level Implementation Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary has also been set up to ensure strict monitoring and time-bound execution of all directions issued by the government, courts and statutory bodies.
He wrote, “Both the Expert Group and the Implementation Committee shall work in close coordination — one serving as the brain, and the other as the arm of our collective effort. I firmly believe that with the concerted efforts of the Government and the people of Delhi, we will God willing soon prevail in this war against pollution.”
