CAQM to launch separate air quality rankings for NCR, Punjab

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is preparing to introduce a distinct ranking system to assess air quality across the National Capital Region and Punjab, according to officials familiar with the initiative. The move comes as the Union Environment Ministry continues to release its Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan rankings, which evaluate cities based on the measures they have undertaken to combat air pollution.

The CAQM's proposed rankings would provide an additional assessment mechanism specifically tailored to monitor and evaluate air quality improvements in these pollution-prone regions. Officials indicated that the new framework would complement rather than replace existing federal assessment tools, offering a more granular evaluation of air quality management efforts in NCR and Punjab cities.

The initiative reflects growing concerns about air quality in these regions, particularly during winter months when pollution levels spike significantly. By introducing region-specific rankings, authorities aim to create stronger accountability measures and incentivize cities to implement more rigorous pollution control strategies.

The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan rankings, released by the Environment Ministry, focus on evaluating the effectiveness of pollution mitigation measures undertaken by urban local bodies. The CAQM's parallel ranking system would add another layer of monitoring to ensure comprehensive coverage of air quality management across the National Capital Region and Punjab's major cities.