Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a complete ban on open burning across the national capital, empowering district authorities and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to impose fines of up to ₹5,000 on violators as air quality continues to hover in the “poor” to “very poor” range.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has simultaneously prohibited the use of coal and firewood in tandoors at all hotels, restaurants and open eateries, directing them to shift immediately to cleaner alternatives such as gas or electric options under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Officials describe these measures as targeted efforts to cut localised emissions and protect public health during the peak pollution season, even as residents, business owners and environmental groups closely watch how consistently and fairly the curbs will be enforced on the ground.
Tougher curbs, fines and official warnings
The Delhi government’s latest directives mark a clear escalation in efforts to tackle the city’s toxic air, focusing specifically on everyday practices that add to local pollution burdens but are often overlooked in public debate.
By formally authorising district administrations and MCD officials to impose penalties of up to ₹5,000 on anyone caught burning garbage, leaves or other waste in the open, the administration is sending a signal that such practices are no longer minor violations but serious threats to public health.
Enforcement teams have reportedly been instructed to intensify field inspections, especially in residential colonies, markets and peri-urban areas where open burning of mixed waste is common during early mornings and late evenings.
Officials emphasise that these fires release high levels of particulate matter and toxic gases, worsening respiratory ailments and disproportionately affecting children, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma and heart disease.
The DPCC’s parallel directive to stop the use of coal and firewood in tandoors at eateries is rooted in similar concerns, as these traditional fuel sources produce dense smoke that degrades local air quality, especially in crowded food hubs.
Under the new rules, all hotels, restaurants and open eateries are required to transition to cleaner fuels like piped natural gas or electricity, in line with Stage-I GRAP measures designed to reduce emissions proactively when air quality begins to deteriorate.
Some business owners fear an increase in operational costs, potential changes in flavour profiles and the need for new equipment, while others see the move as inevitable in a city where smog has become almost synonymous with winter. Health experts and environmental professionals, however, argue that any short-term inconvenience is outweighed by the long-term gains in public health, reduced hospitalisation and improved quality of life for millions of residents.
Air quality backdrop and policy context
These measures come against the backdrop of several consecutive days of worrying Air Quality Index (AQI) readings, with city-wide levels hovering in the “poor” category around 269–291 and some monitoring stations recording even higher concentrations of fine particulate matter.
Delhi’s air crisis is driven by a complex mix of sources, including vehicular emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, crop residue burning in neighbouring states and household or commercial use of solid fuels, making it difficult to attribute responsibility to any single actor.
Authorities have cited earlier directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the existing GRAP framework to justify tighter, pre-emptive restrictions on practices such as open burning and coal-based cooking in the city.
In previous years, many emergency measures were introduced only after pollution levels had already spiked into “severe” zones, prompting criticism that the response was reactive rather than preventive. This year’s push to strengthen enforcement when the AQI is still in the “poor” band aims to slow the slide into crisis, with officials expressing hope that sustained action will prevent repeated peaks of hazardous smog.
Civil society groups and environmental advocates have long demanded such targeted controls on localised sources, arguing that they complement broader interventions like cleaner fuel standards, public transport expansion and curbs on industrial emissions.
At the same time, there is growing recognition that enforcement must be sensitive to livelihoods: informal waste pickers, small food vendors and low-income workers may require support, alternatives and clear communication to comply without being pushed into deeper economic insecurity.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian views these bans and penalties as an important, if overdue, assertion of the right to clean air as a basic, non-negotiable public good in a city where millions wake up to smog-laden horizons. In a context where the most vulnerable communities often bear the brunt of pollution-induced illness despite contributing the least to the problem, decisive state action to curb harmful practices such as open burning and coal-based cooking is not only an environmental necessity but also a matter of equity and justice.
However, the spirit of these measures must be rooted in empathy, dialogue and practical support rather than fear alone. Constructive enforcement means helping eateries and small businesses access cleaner technology, ensuring that waste management systems actually offer safe, affordable disposal options, and engaging citizens through awareness campaigns that frame compliance as a collective act of care. For lasting change, the city needs not just fines and bans, but a shared understanding that every small reduction in smoke, dust or exhaust is a step towards healthier, kinder urban living for all.
