Relevance: Environment (UPSC GS-3), Pollution Governance
Source: Indian Express, CPCB/CAQM documents

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has asked States around the National Capital Region (NCR) to eliminate the use of coal and other polluting industrial fuels in non-NCR districts too. 

Key Concepts 

1. Pollution dome: A “pollution dome” in Delhi NCR refers to the meteorological phenomenon where a layer of warm air traps cold, polluted air near the ground, creating a smoggy “dome” or “gas chamber,” especially in winter. 
2. Smog Towers: Literal large domes (smog towers) to filter the air , were built at Connaught Place & Anand Vihar for purification, they faced criticism for effectiveness, though they did filter some pollution; 
3. Cloud seeding: Artificial methods using chemicals to induce rain fall to combat the air pollution. 

The real issue is a combination of vehicular, industrial, stubble burning emissions, low wind, and temperature inversions. 

About CAQM

The CAQM was established by the Indian government in 2020 under the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.

• Nodal body for monitoring, coordinating, and enforcing air-quality measures across NCR and adjoining districts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Powers:
  • Issue directions overriding State Pollution Control Boards.
    
  • Enforce fuel bans, emission norms, and Graded Response Action Plan.
    
  • Coordinate multi-sector actions (industry, transport, biomass burning, thermal plants).
    

Major Sources of Pollution in Delhi

CAQM’s proposal includes:

• Eliminating coal in industries beyond NCR.
  
• Pushing cleaner fuels like natural gas, electricity, biofuels, and biomass.
  
• Strict emission-control norms for brick kilns, ceramics, refineries, and steel mills.
  
• Regulating thermal plants within 300 km radius of Delhi.
  

Q. Assertion reason qn.

Assertion (A):Delhi-NCR often develops a persistent “pollution dome” during winter.

Reason (R):Temperature inversion traps pollutants near the surface.

Select the Codes:
1. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true, but R is false.
4. A is false, but R is true.

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1 only
C. 2 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: A (1 and 3 only)