NEW DELHI: Delhi and its neighbouring states have prepared a coordinated seven-month awareness programme to tackle air pollution and encourage greater public participation in reducing pollution. The programme will run from September 2026 to March 2027, covering the months when air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region traditionally becomes a major concern.

The initiative involves Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Their plans are known as Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Action Plans and focus on educating citizens about the causes of pollution and encouraging them to adopt cleaner practices.

The states will conduct workshops, awareness programmes, meetings with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), school-related activities and social-media campaigns. Pollution-control authorities will use these programmes to explain how individual behaviour and community participation can help improve air quality.

The campaign will address several major sources of pollution, including:

• ???? Vehicle emissions

• ???? Agricultural residue and stubble burning

• ???? Industrial emissions

• ????️ Construction and road dust

• ⚡ Diesel generator sets

• ????️ Municipal and construction waste

• ???? Pollution from commercial and other vehicles

The plans therefore go beyond simply monitoring air quality. They aim to encourage people, businesses, farmers and local organisations to take preventive action before pollution reaches its winter peak.

In Delhi, the awareness programme will target vehicle owners, commercial operators, students and the general public. Workshops are expected to highlight practices such as avoiding unnecessary engine idling, maintaining vehicles properly, following lane discipline and parking responsibly.

Authorities will also work with agencies responsible for roads and infrastructure to promote better management of road dust, timely repairs and scientific approaches to road construction and redevelopment.

Punjab and Haryana will give particular attention to crop-residue management and preventing stubble burning, an issue that becomes especially important during the post-harvest season.

The objective is to encourage farmers to use alternatives to burning agricultural residue and to explain how stubble burning contributes to regional air pollution.

Haryana's plan also includes attention to vehicle-related pollution, while local authorities are expected to strengthen public outreach and enforcement.

Uttar Pradesh will also conduct awareness activities aimed at vehicle owners and communities in areas contributing to the Delhi-NCR pollution problem.

According to reports, the state has set a target of reaching around 16,000 vehicle owners every month with pollution-awareness messages.

Air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region is not restricted to one city or state. Pollution can travel across administrative boundaries, meaning that action by Delhi alone cannot completely solve the problem.

The seven-month programme represents an attempt to encourage coordinated action across the region. Starting the campaign in September is also significant because it gives authorities and communities time to prepare before the winter months, when pollution levels can rise sharply.

The plans were reviewed at the national level by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, with the participating states submitting their respective IEC action plans.

The main strength of the initiative is its emphasis on prevention and public participation. Instead of waiting for severe smog to appear, authorities are beginning awareness efforts months in advance.

If citizens, farmers, industries, construction companies and government agencies follow the recommended measures, the campaign could help reduce pollution sources and improve air quality across Delhi-NCR.

In short, Delhi and four neighbouring states are joining hands for a seven-month pollution-awareness drive, with the goal of making people more aware of pollution and encouraging practical action to create cleaner and healthier communities.