CAQM flags delays, enforcement gaps in waste management across NCR
New Delhi (PTI): The Commission for Air Quality Management has directed civic bodies and state agencies across the National Capital Region to urgently strengthen municipal solid waste management, flagging persistent open burning of waste, delays in clearing legacy dumps and gaps in enforcement.
The directions came after a detailed review of waste management systems in Delhi and NCR states, conducted through a series of meetings with state governments, municipal bodies and pollution control boards.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said waste management remains a critical area requiring sustained attention because of its direct impact on air pollution.
In Delhi, the CAQM noted continued incidents of open municipal solid waste and biomass burning despite the availability of infrastructure.
It directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to complete remediation of 143.09 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste by December 2027, at a processing rate of about 3.5 lakh metric tonnes per month, and to submit monthly progress reports.
The commission also ordered immediate augmentation of waste-processing facilities without extending timelines and asked for stronger surveillance of garbage-vulnerable points, spill-free transportation of waste and intensified door-to-door segregation drives.
Bulk waste generators in Delhi have been asked to ensure on-site wet waste processing within one month, while the rollout of the zero-waste colonies is to be accelerated.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has been tasked with strict monitoring of waste-to-energy plants, fly ash disposal, verification of municipal data and monthly compliance reporting to the CAQM.
In Haryana, the commission flagged significant delays in legacy waste remediation and processing infrastructure, particularly in Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat.
Gurugram's municipal corporation has been directed to complete tendering for the remediation of 14 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste by January 20, 2026, and to start biomining by March 31, 2026.
Faridabad has been asked to identify land for decentralised processing facilities within two months and make them operational by April 2026.
In Uttar Pradesh's NCR areas, the CAQM observed delays in legacy waste remediation, uneven segregation and coordination gaps.
Authorities in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad have been told to complete remediation within committed timelines and not to seek further extensions for commissioning processing facilities.
In Rajasthan's NCR districts, including Bharatpur, Alwar and Bhiwadi, progress on waste remediation and segregation was found inadequate.
Urban local bodies have been directed to complete remediation within timelines and strengthen segregation, surveillance and complaint redressal.
The commission said it will closely monitor compliance, carry out follow-up reviews and take action wherever required.
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Andhra to be developed as knowledge, creator economy hub: CM Naidu
New Delhi/Amaravati (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said the state is taking steps to transform itself into a knowledge and creator economy hub with a strong focus on artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
He noted that Andhra Pradesh has abundant tech-driven youth and the government is formulating plans to train them in futuristic technologies with support from global technology firms.
"Our goal is to transform Andhra Pradesh into a knowledge hub by focusing on AI, quantum computing, data centres, drone cities and space cities. The youth will remain our biggest asset over the next 25 years, and we seek global partnerships to scale up the creator economy," said Naidu during his interactions at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi.
Naidu, who participated in the summit in the national capital, also held meetings with several global technology leaders and industrialists to explore collaborations in artificial intelligence, clean energy and innovation ecosystems.
He met Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, Autodesk AI Head Mike Haley, Aramco India Director Abdul Rehman AiThukair, LEGO Education Vice President Tom Hall, Aadhaar Founder and CTO Srikanth Nadhamuni, Khosla Ventures Managing Partner Vinod Khosla and others at the AP Pavilion.
The chief minister also held discussions with Saudi Aramco representatives on clean energy projects, including solar initiatives, and invited the company to expand operations in Andhra Pradesh, stating that the state is highly suitable for green energy production.
He sought support from NVIDIA Vice President Callista Redmond for establishing AI Living Labs and proposed partnerships through the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub to promote youth innovation, including collaborations with IIT Tirupati and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati under the Andhra Pradesh Future Innovation and Research for Science and Technology (AP FIRST) initiative.
Naidu urged Autodesk leadership to support the development of Global Capability Centres in design engineering and requested the establishment of an Innovation Academy in Amaravati aligned with quantum technology, besides proposing AI and robotics learning labs in partnership with LEGO Education.
He also discussed AI-driven smart governance solutions with Quantela Inc Chairman Sridhar Gadhi, while World Bank Group Digital AI Regional Director Mahesh Uttamchandani met Naidu on the sidelines of the summit.
Following the meetings, Naidu visited various exhibition stalls at the summit, including those of NVIDIA, Tata, Intel and Microsoft, and reviewed AI applications across agriculture, healthcare and industry.
