A Delhi-NCR resident watches AQI cross 450 day after day in winter 2026, with factory emissions in Sahibabad and unauthorised plastic burning in Loni feeding the haze. In 2026, air pollution complaint enforcement has powerful tools — CPCB SAMEER mobile app, NGT direct filing, state PCB closure orders, Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act 1981, Environment Protection Act 1986, National Clean Air Programme — but most citizens don't know how to use them. This page is the operational complaint + recovery playbook.
Citizen Crisis Response Network — air pollution complaint checklist
Photograph + GPS the source → file on CPCB SAMEER app + state PCB portal → file before NGT under NGT Act 2010 for stay/compensation → FIR under EPA §15 + BNS §270 (public nuisance) for persistent violations → RTI to state PCB for emission-monitoring data → for systemic enforcement failure, High Court Article 226 writ + PIL.
To complain about air pollution in India: (1) use the CPCB SAMEER mobile app (app.cpcbccr.com) to report point sources + locate; (2) file with the state Pollution Control Board — KSPCB Karnataka, MPCB Maharashtra, DPCC Delhi, etc.; (3) file before NGT at greentribunal.gov.in for stay + compensation; (4) FIR under EPA §15 + BNS §270 (public nuisance) + §271 for persistent violations; (5) for industrial sources, demand consent-to-operate revocation under Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act 1981 §31A; (6) RTI under §6(1) RTI Act 2005 to state PCB for emission-monitoring data; (7) for systemic enforcement failure, High Court Article 226 writ + PIL. Penalty: ₹10,000-₹10 crore + closure / shifting + compensation.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) 2009 — defines limits.
132 cities identified for action plans. State-level commitments to reduce PM2.5/PM10 by 20-30% by 2030.
For Delhi-NCR: established 2021. Direct enforcement powers in NCR.
Each state has Air Pollution Control Plan + AQI Monitoring Stations.
CPCB AQI portal: app.cpcbccr.com/AQI_India/
greentribunal.gov.in → File a Case → category Air Pollution.
The Member Secretary
[State] Pollution Control Board
Sub: Complaint of air pollution at [Address]
I, [Name], submit:
1. The [factory / construction / garbage-burning /
generator / brick-kiln] at [Address] is emitting
[smoke / dust / odour / fumes] continuously since
DD-MM-2026.
2. Photographs + videos at Annexures A, B.
3. Site AQI readings (CPCB SAMEER app):
- DD-MM-2026 HH:MM: AQI _____ (PM2.5 _____,
PM10 _____)
- DD-MM-2026 HH:MM: AQI _____
These are sustained > 200, far exceeding NAAQS.
4. The source's "consent to operate" status is unclear
— I have filed RTI for the same.
5. Health impacts in our colony: respiratory issues,
eye irritation, school children with asthma flares.
I request:
(a) Immediate site inspection by your inspector.
(b) Closure / "consent to operate" revocation
under Air Act §31A.
(c) Stop-work / scrubber installation order.
(d) Penalty + compensation.
Filed concurrently:
(i) FIR under BNS §270 + §271 + EPA §15.
(ii) NGT petition.
[Name, address, contact]
DD-MM-2026
IN THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL, [Bench] Application No. _________ of 2026 [Applicant Name] ... Applicant vs. 1. [Polluting Source] ... Respondent 2. State Pollution Control Board ... Respondent 3. CPCB ... Respondent 4. District Magistrate ... Respondent PETITION UNDER NGT ACT 2010 §14 + §15 [Pleadings — facts, environmental damage, health impact, prayer for stay, closure, compensation.] Annexures: A — AQI / SAMEER app reports B — Photographs/videos C — Health impact statements D — State PCB complaint E — FIR copy DD-MM-2026
PIO, [State] Pollution Control Board Sub: Application under §6(1) RTI Act 2005 Please furnish: 1. Whether [source/establishment] at [Address] holds consent to operate under Air Act 1981 §21, and the date and validity of such consent. 2. Latest emission-monitoring report (PM2.5, PM10, NOx, SOx, CO). 3. Number of complaints received against this source in the last 24 months and action taken on each. 4. Whether any closure / penalty / show-cause notice has been issued. 5. The State PCB inspection schedule for this source for 2024-25 + 2025-26. A reply is requested under §7(1) within 30 days. [Name, address, contact] DD-MM-2026
M.C. Mehta v. UoI (1986) 2 SCC 176 — landmark air pollution + Oleum gas tragedy. Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991) 1 SCC 598. Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. UoI (1996) 5 SCC 647. In Re: Air Quality Management (CAQM 2024) — Delhi-NCR enforcement framework. In Re: Stubble Burning (NGT 2024).
Useful RTI Wiki tools:
SAMEER allows pseudonymous reporting but requires verified mobile + email for follow-up.
Yes. Each event = ₹10,000+ penalty + criminal under Solid Waste Management Rules 2016. Filing builds the case.
If emission > NAAQS at my window, yes. State PCB can verify + issue closure / scrubber order.
Yes — RTO can de-register or fine for emission violations. Periodic Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate mandatory.
Yes — NGT can order stay/closure under §14. Multiple precedents.
Site inspection within 48-72 hours. Action within 7-30 days for simple cases.
File with CAQM Delhi-NCR + NGT + state PCB of source state. Personal compensation possible for sustained exposure.
CPCB is national. CAQM specifically for Delhi-NCR with direct enforcement powers under CAQM Act 2021.
Yes — NGT can award ₹50k-₹5L per affected individual on proof of medical impact + sustained exposure.
No. Consent has conditions; emissions exceeding limits = consent violation = revocation grounds.
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| “Air pollution is unsolvable individual issue.” | Statutory + NGT framework gives real recourse. |
| “Industrial source with consent is untouchable.” | Consent has conditions; violations attract revocation. |
| “Only Delhi has air-pollution rules.” | NCAP covers 132 cities. State PCB everywhere. |
| “SAMEER doesn't work.” | SAMEER triggers state PCB action. Track the response. |
| “NGT compensation is symbolic.” | NGT awards ₹50k-₹10L for documented cases. |
| “Burning leaves is normal.” | Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 prohibit. ₹10k+ penalty. |
Air in 2026 is a measurable, enforceable, compensable environmental matter under Air Act + EPA + NCAP + NGT jurisdiction. Defence is CPCB SAMEER + state PCB + NGT drill. AQI > 200 sustained = legal violation. Don't accept “industrial necessity” or “festival exemption.” The framework gives every citizen recourse; use it.
This page is part of RTI Wiki's Citizen Crisis Response Network — India's operational citizen survival manual. Updates tracked through CPCB advisories, CAQM orders, NGT rulings, and CIC decisions.