Weekly Environmental News Roundup: 16 March 2026
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for Week 11 (9 to 15 March) 2026.
Air Pollution
Curtains drawn on 4-decade-old MC Mehta case on air pollution as Supreme Court disposes PIL
The four-decade-old MC Mehta case finally came to an end on March 12 when the Supreme Court disposed of the 1985 Public Interest Litigation concerning air pollution in Delhi and its surrounding areas.
Sirsa chairs meeting with experts to discuss Delhi’s air pollution mitigation plan for 2026-27
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Thursday chaired a meeting with environment experts, researchers and senior officials from various government departments to discuss strategies and suggestions to be incorporated in the Delhi government’s comprehensive air pollution mitigation plan for 2026-27.
“Ring Roads A Big Flop”: Supreme Court Hikes Entry Fee For Trucks In Delhi
Heavy and light commercial vehicles, including trucks, vans and dumpers, entering Delhi will have to pay higher Environment Compensation Charges from April 1 after the Supreme Court approved a proposal by the Commission for Air Quality Management to enhance the levy.
NDMC expands network of mist sprayer project to curb pollution
The New Delhi Municipal Council is strengthening the Delhi government’s ongoing efforts to curb pollution by expanding its automatic misting systems to 24 major roads under its jurisdiction, officials said.
MPs demand stricter enforcement of laws to tackle air pollution
High levels of air pollution, particularly in the National Capital Region, dominated a debate on the working of Environment Ministry in the Rajya Sabha on Monday (March 9, 2026).
22 innovations shortlisted to tackle air pollution in Delhi
The Delhi government on Tuesday said it shortlisted 22 innovations to tackle air pollution from the 284 ideas it received as part of the “Innovation Challenge” organised by the government in October last year.
Delhi government partners with IIT Madras for study on smog-eating surfaces to curb pollution
The Delhi government on Friday said it has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras to study the effectiveness of photocatalytic “smog-eating” materials to combat air pollution in the Capital.
Water
Delhi govt. chalks out ‘Summer Action Plan’ to ensure adequate water supply
The Delhi government has prepared a ‘Summer Action Plan-2026’ to ensure adequate water supply across the city, provide quick relief to areas facing shortages, and address public complaints promptly.
Delhi Rolls Out GPS-Tracked Tankers To Ensure Transparent Water Supply
The Delhi government has introduced GPS-enabled tracking and a dedicated mobile app for water tankers as part of its Summer Action Plan 2026.
Delhi Jal Board Got 43,000 Complaints Of Contaminated Water In 5 Years: RTI Reply
The Delhi Jal Board has received more than 43,000 complaints of contaminated drinking water between 2021 and 2025, according to information provided under the Right to Information Act.
After unveiling its ambitious Drainage Master Plan 2025 last year, the BJP government in Delhi is now preparing a comprehensive Water Master Plan for the city.
Yamuna water still highly polluted in Delhi, DPCC data show elevated faecal coliform levels
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee’s latest data on the water quality of the Yamuna River raises concerns about high faecal coliform levels, indicating significant untreated sewage entering the river.
NDMC revises freshwater requirement, okays borewells for new govt quarters
Stepping up arrangements to meet its potable water demand in the coming months, New Delhi Municipal Council has drawn up a summer action plan.
Waste
Delhi mayor launches ‘Malba portal’ to streamline management of construction waste
Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh on Monday launched a portal aimed at streamlining the collection and disposal of construction and demolition waste in the national capital and curbing illegal dumping that contributes to pollution.
48 trucks pressed into managing horticulture waste
Delhi Mayor Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh flagged off 48 tipper trucks at MCD Headquarters on Tuesday, stating that these vehicles will significantly boost horticulture waste management across Delhi.
Waste removal, inspections intensify under ‘Dust-Free Delhi’ drive: MCD
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has intensified sanitation and dust-control operations across multiple zones as part of its ongoing 10-day “Dust-Free Delhi” campaign, with large-scale waste removal and field inspections carried out in several areas of the Capital.
India Recycled Over 9.7 Lakh Metric Tonnes Of E-Waste In 2025-26: Environment Ministry
More than 9.79 lakh metric tonnes of e-waste has been processed across the country so far in Fiscal Year 2025-26, as per the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
CR Park residents protest to seek removal of waste centre
Residents from across Chittaranjan Parkheld a protest march on Saturday, demanding the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to remove dhalaos from their locality and construct fixed transport systems instead.
Urban Biodiversity
Delhi forest dept plans four-year exercise to clear invasive kikar from Ridge
The Delhi Forest Department is planning a four-year eco-restoration exercise to remove ‘kikar’ and other invasive species from the Ridge forests of the national capital, officials said on Saturday.
Need to get out of mindset that only Delhi needs greenery: SC
Advocating a holistic approach to the issue of green cover, the Supreme Court on Monday said there was a need to get out of the mindset that only Delhi needed to have greenery.
Centre backs panel to define Aravalli range
The Centre has backed the Central Empowered Committee’s proposed 10-member high-powered expert committee to come up with a uniform definition for the Aravalli mountain range.
Delhi realigns forest divisions after creation of two new districts to protect Ridge areas
With the creation of two new districts in Delhi last year, the city’s forest divisions have now also been realigned. Forest officials said the changes ensure that ecologically significant stretches of the Delhi Ridge now fall within single forest divisions, eliminating the earlier overlap that often led to operational confusion.
Parliamentary panel calls for more funds for tiger and elephant conservation
A department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended increasing funds for the flagship programme “The Project Tiger and Elephant,” citing the rising population of tigers and elephants that has not been matched by a corresponding increase in financial support.
Environment Ministry amends forest conservation norms for land diversion of over 40 hectares
The Environment Ministry has amended forest conservation norms by removing the mandatory requirement of having a nodal officer conduct a field inspection for every project involving more than 100 hectares of forest land diversion.
Panel flags ‘lack of cooperation’ on deemed forest protection
The special empowered committee headed by retired Justice Najmi Waziri, constituted on the orders of Delhi High Court for the protection
Climate Change
Delhi and a large part of the country are already feeling the heat this year — far earlier than usual — with temperature climbing sharply even before spring could properly arrive.
Climate Walker arrives in mainland Italy, to walk remainder of 12,000km trek to India
Climate Walker Jaydip Lakhankiya has arrived in mainland Italy and is now set to continue the rest of his transcontinental trek to New Delhi, India solely on foot.
Green Policies
Delhi govt exploring possibility of green budget to balance economic growth and environment
With the national capital fighting climate change in the form of rising pollution, along with urbanization at a rapid pace, the need for environmental protection has become an essential part of the governance discourse and core of the development plan.
RS discusses working of Environment Ministry
Kicking off the discussion on the working of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari said there was a need for addressing “political” pollution, apart from environmental pollution.
