Union Minister Bhupender Yadav visited the newly launched Integrated Command and Control Centre of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday. The centre, named PAVAN (Platform for Air Quality Vigilance and Analytics for NCR), brings more than 30 application programming interfaces and live data streams from multiple agencies onto a single screen. Officials said the goal is to shift the region’s response to air pollution from reacting after the fact to anticipating and acting on it in real time.
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According to the Press Information Bureau, the system monitors 111 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations, more than 2,300 industries, more than 3,200 construction sites and traffic congestion hotspots across Delhi-NCR.
The “Detect, Analyze, Act” Model
The commission built the platform around a three-step model: detect, analyze and act. Officials said the design is meant to remove data silos and cut the delays caused by manual reporting. Automated digital alerts will direct enforcement teams toward industries that do not comply with norms, non-conforming chimneys and traffic bottlenecks.
- Satellite Tracking of Crop Residue Burning: The Centre tracks crop residue burning using satellite data from the Indian Space Research Organization, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute and NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System. Fires are compared against a six-year historical baseline.
- Live Industrial Emissions and Landfill Monitoring: Industrial emissions are monitored live through Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems, which report particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Closed-circuit camera feeds at landfill sites in Okhla, Bhalswa, Ghazipur, Greater Noida and Bhandwari are also linked to the centre.
- Citizen Apps and Transport Data: The platform draws on citizen-facing and transport data as well. It connects with the SAMEER and Green Delhi mobile apps, the VAHAN vehicle registration database, and live tracking of mechanical road sweepers.
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State action plans in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are monitored through the system. Alongside the launch, the commission announced a temporary halt on construction and demolition activity across the National Capital Region from November 5 to 20. The measure is intended to curb dust pollution during the seasonal rise in pollution levels.
