A senior CAQM official stated on Tuesday that establishing a comprehensive Low Emission Zone (LEZ) for all of Delhi is an achievable goal in the near future, provided there are predictable policy frameworks, strict enforcement against non-compliance by administrators, and regional coordination.
Tarun Kumar Pitod, Member Secretary of CAQM, also noted that clean air zones serve as an important social experiment. They demonstrate the necessity of changing human behavior by showing that people can live, travel, and thrive without relying on private motorized vehicles.
Pitod reported at the Urban Adda 2026 event in New Delhi that robust regulatory frameworks already exist within CAQM. He added that numerous official notices have been sent to administrators and secretaries, and staff have been summoned for explanations to avoid legal prosecution for failing to meet environmental mandates, leading to immediate action.
The three-day event, which began on Monday, brought together senior government officials, global urban experts, corporate leaders, and youth icons to develop an action-oriented development plan for India's rapidly changing urban landscape. Pitod emphasized that government action alone is insufficient, and public accountability is critically important. He concluded that if hundreds of thousands of citizens demand answers and hold officials accountable, administrators will be forced to deliver results.