New Delhi, Feb. 2 -- India is planning a major expansion of its air and water quality monitoring infrastructure as environmental pollution emerges as a growing public health concern.

The government has proposed a financial outlay of Rs.1,091 crore in the budget for 2026-27 to strengthen monitoring and implementation of pollution control measures across the air, water and noise pollution categories.

As part of the plan outlined in the budget documents, 1,046 new air quality monitoring stations are to be added to the existing network of 2,011 stations. In addition, 89 new monitoring stations will be set up to address river pollution. The expansion is aimed at improving the assessment of pollution levels, particularly in cities with popula...