**Executive Summary**
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) is strengthening the air quality monitoring framework in Delhi-NCR by expanding the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) network. The initiative aims to enhance air quality surveillance and support evidence-based policy interventions. As of Feb 10, 2026, 27 new CAAQMS are being installed with plans for 46 additional stations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Ongoing Augmentation:**
* 27 new CAAQMS are being added to the existing network of 84 stations.
* Out of the 27 new CAAQMS, 6 have been installed in Delhi.
* The remaining 21 new CAAQMS are in the process of installation in Haryana (NCR), Rajasthan (NCR), and Uttar Pradesh (NCR).
* **Future Expansion:**
* Monitoring density must reflect population distribution, land-use characteristics, and urban expansion.
* Grid-based spatial coverage is considered necessary.
* Background and border stations are required to understand regional pollutant transport.
* **Installation Norms:**
* Norms have been framed for air quality monitoring stations installation at approximately one station in each 25 sq. km. grid for Delhi and contiguous cities.
* Other district headquarters and cities would have one station per 50 sq. km. area.
* **Additional Stations:**
* 46 additional stations will be installed to strengthen monitoring infrastructure.
* The 46 additional stations include 14 in Delhi, 16 in Haryana (NCR), 1 in Rajasthan (NCR) and 15 in Uttar Pradesh (NCR).
* The total number of CAAQMS in Delhi-NCR would be 157, comprising 60 in Delhi, 45 in Haryana (NCR), 9 in Rajasthan (NCR), and 43 in Uttar Pradesh (NCR).
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM)**
* **Impact:** Enhanced ability to identify pollution sources, track trends, and take necessary actions for effective air pollution mitigation in the Delhi-NCR region.
* **Action Required:** Ensure the timely installation and effective operation of the new and additional CAAQMS, and utilize the data for informed policy interventions.
**Stakeholder: Concerned Agencies Operating Monitoring Stations**
* **Impact:** Increased responsibility for operating and maintaining a larger network of CAAQMS, requiring more resources and coordination.
* **Action Required:** Prepare for the integration of new stations into the existing network, and ensure data collection and reporting protocols are adhered to.
**Stakeholder: Residents of Delhi-NCR**
* **Impact:** Benefit from improved air quality monitoring and more effective policy interventions to reduce air pollution, leading to better public health outcomes.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required, but awareness of the air quality data and support for policies aimed at reducing air pollution can contribute to the success of the initiative.
Key Entities Referenced
Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS): Network being augmented to improve air quality monitoring in Delhi-NCR.
Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): The body reviewing and strengthening the air quality monitoring network in Delhi-NCR.
Delhi-NCR: The geographical area to which the enhanced air quality monitoring efforts are applied.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Delhi-NCR to be strengthened with expansion of
Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring
Stations
Posted On: 10 FEB 2026 4:41PM by PIB Delhi
The air quality monitoring framework in Delhi-NCR is being significantly strengthened through
systematic augmentation of the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS)
network to ensure spatial coverage, improved data reliability and robust scientific assessment of air
pollution across the region. The initiative is aimed at enhancing real-time air quality surveillance and
supporting evidence-based policy interventions for effective air pollution abatement in Delhi-NCR.
As part of the ongoing strengthening of the air quality monitoring network, the Commission for Air
Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has been reviewing the status of
augmentation of 27 new CAAQMS across Delhi-NCR [06 in Delhi, 07 in Haryana (NCR), 04 in
Rajasthan (NCR) and 10 in Uttar Pradesh (NCR)], over and above the existing network of 84 monitoring
stations (40 in Delhi, 22 in Haryana-NCR, 04 in Rajasthan-NCR and 18 in Uttar Pradesh-NCR) operated
by concerned agencies in the region. Out of the 27 new CAAQMS across Delhi-NCR:
● 06 CAAQMS have been installed in Delhi;
● 07 new CAAQMS in Haryana (NCR), 04 in Rajasthan (NCR) and 10 in Uttar Pradesh (NCR)
are in the process of installation.
In addition to the ongoing augmentation, the scientific criteria for future expansion of the air quality
monitoring network in Delhi-NCR has also been deliberated in detail. It was emphasised that monitoring
density must adequately reflect population distribution, land-use characteristics such as residential,
traffic, industrial and background areas, urban contiguity and the rapid expansion of peri-urban/suburban
regions. The need for grid-based spatial coverage has been considered. Further, background and border
stations are also required to better understand regional transport of pollutants and baseline air quality
levels influencing Delhi-NCR.
Accordingly, in addition to existing population-based norms for Delhi and contiguous cities of
Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Sonepat, norms have been framed for
installation of air quality monitoring stations at approximately one station in each 25 sq. km. (5 km × 5
km grid), while other district headquarters and cities would have one station per 50 sq. km. area.
Monitoring coverage in peri-urban and suburban areas has also been identified as critical for assessing
inflow and outflow of pollution and understanding the impact of urban sprawl on regional air quality.
Further, based on above-mentioned criteria, 46 additional stations, including 14 in Delhi, 16 in Haryana
(NCR), 01 in Rajasthan (NCR) and 15 in Uttar Pradesh (NCR), shall be installed to strengthen the air
quality monitoring infrastructure and ensure comprehensive and uniform air quality monitoring acrossDelhi-NCR. Taking into account the additional stations, the total number of CAAQMS in Delhi-NCR
would be 157, comprising 60 stations in Delhi, 45 in Haryana (NCR), nine in Rajasthan (NCR), and 43
in Uttar Pradesh (NCR).
The Commission reiterated that a robust and dense air quality monitoring network is vital for effective
monitoring and mitigation of air pollution in the region. The ongoing and proposed augmentation of
CAAQMS will significantly enhance the ability to identify pollution sources, track trends and take
necessary actions accordingly.
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VM/GS/SK
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