Government strict on increasing AQI in Delhi: Ban on use of coal in tandoor in hotels, fine of Rs 5000 for burning garbage in open.

New Delhi, 10 December. Amid increasing air pollution in the national capital Delhi, the state government has taken a big step and banned burning of garbage in the open. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that officials have been directed to completely ban open burning of garbage. Apart from this, there has been a strict ban on the use of coal and wood in tandoor in all hotels, restaurants and open eating places in Delhi.

We are continuously making efforts to control every small and big source of air pollution in Delhi.

In this context, strict instructions have been given to the Environment Department to ensure a complete ban on open burning.

District Administration and Delhi Municipal Corporation have been given the right to… pic.twitter.com/uOyLseFzfB

— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) December 9, 2025

Strict instructions to Environment Department, District Administration and Municipal Corporation

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said in her post, ‘We are continuously trying to control every small and big source of air pollution in Delhi. In this context, strict instructions have been given to the Environment Department to ensure a complete ban on open burning. The district administration and Delhi Municipal Corporation have been given the power to impose a fine of up to ₹ 5000 on those burning garbage in the open. There is a humble request to all citizens not to burn garbage in the open. A small cooperation from all of you can bring a big change. The steps have been taken in view of the alarming levels of pollution in the city, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) has remained in the ‘very poor’ category for the past several days.

AQI improves, but air in ‘poor’ category

Meanwhile, according to the Central Pollution Control Board, there was a slight improvement in air quality on Tuesday and AQI remained in ‘poor’ category with 291. However, health concerns remain over dangerous levels of pollution in the city. Similar AQI readings were seen across Delhi on Wednesday morning – 283 in Bawana, 264 in Alipore, 313 in Jahangirpuri, 272 in Burari Crossing, 280 in Punjabi Bagh and 298 in Anand Vihar, etc.