Gurgaon’s civic authorities have rolled out a wide-ranging action plan aimed at tackling the city’s worsening air pollution, focusing on public transport expansion, electric mobility, dust control and large-scale road redevelopment. The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has set a target to reduce key air quality parameters by 10 per cent by December 2026, signalling a more aggressive approach to combating pollution in one of India’s fastest-growing urban centres.
The plan, recently submitted to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), addresses multiple sources of pollution vehicular emissions, road dust, construction activity, waste management and congestion through coordinated interventions and sustained monitoring.
Under the proposed roadmap, MCG aims to bring down the city’s annual average Air Quality Index (AQI) from 198 to 178 by the end of 2026. Fine particulate matter levels are also targeted for reduction, with PM2.5 expected to fall from 96 micrograms per cubic metre to 86 micrograms per cubic metre, and PM10 from 196 to 176 micrograms per cubic metre.
These benchmarks are based on air quality data collected between 2021 and 2024. Officials say the targets are ambitious but achievable, provided funding support and inter-agency coordination remain consistent. The plan also includes periodic reviews and public awareness campaigns to ensure sustained impact rather than short-term gains.
Road dust control and major redevelopment drive
Road dust has emerged as a top priority in Gurgaon’s pollution strategy. To address this, MCG has sought financial assistance of Rs 291 crore from CAQM. Of this, Rs 285 crore is proposed as a 50 per cent grant for road construction and redevelopment projects over the next three years, while Rs 6 crore is earmarked for deploying truck-mounted anti-smog guns to suppress dust.
As part of the initiative, the civic body plans to redevelop 611 kilometres of roads during 2026–27 alone. This is part of a broader, multi-agency effort to upgrade more than 726 kilometres of roads across the city over three years, at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 2,000 crore. Authorities believe smoother, paved roads will significantly cut dust emissions, especially in identified pollution hotspots.
Public transport boost and EV infrastructure expansion
To curb vehicular emissions, MCG has proposed a major expansion of the city’s bus fleet. While Gurgaon and Manesar together require around 1,000 buses to meet demand, only about 150 BS-VI compliant buses are currently operational. The plan proposes adding 200 more buses in 2026 half by March and the remaining by September to improve public transport accessibility and reduce reliance on private vehicles.
Electric mobility also features prominently. The action plan includes setting up 20 new electric vehicle charging stations by the end of the year, along with 10 battery swapping stations. Officials say this infrastructure push is intended to encourage wider adoption of EVs among residents and commercial operators.
Tackling congestion and monitoring air quality
Traffic congestion remains another key contributor to air pollution in Gurgaon. Thirty-three congestion hotspots have been identified for short-term interventions such as improved traffic management and signal optimisation. Locations including Gwal Pahari and Subhash Chowk are set to receive immediate attention, while six major junctions along National Highway 48 will undergo long-term decongestion measures.
MCG officials have also stated that the city’s air quality monitoring infrastructure is currently adequate, with three Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations operating at strategic locations. Data from these stations will be used to track progress and guide policy adjustments.
With its 2026 action plan, Gurgaon’s civic body is signalling a shift toward more structured and measurable pollution control efforts. Whether the city meets its ambitious targets will depend on timely funding, execution on the ground and sustained political and administrative commitment but for now, the roadmap marks a significant step in addressing a long-standing urban crisis.