Commission for Air Quality Management Directs Action Against Polluting Vehicles

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and nearby areas has instructed enforcement agencies to take coercive action against End-of-Life (EoL), polluting BS-III, and lower emission standard vehicles. Delivery service providers and e-commerce entities are now allowed to include BS-VI petrol 2-wheelers in their existing fleets until December 31, 2026. The commission, led by Rajesh Verma, has decided to restrict the induction of conventional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles or petrol/diesel vehicles for certain stakeholders starting from January 1, 2026, to promote the adoption of zero-emission vehicles. Following a Supreme Court order, protection against coercive action continues for BS-IV and later emission standard vehicles, while restrictions on taking action against highly polluting BS-III and lower emission standard vehicles have been lifted. Enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure strict compliance with these orders. The commission has observed a significant reduction in paddy stubble burning incidents in 2025, thanks to integrated monitoring and enforcement efforts, with a 92% overall reduction in NCR compared to 2021. States like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been asked to prepare State Action Plans for monitoring and enforcement against wheat residue burning in the upcoming harvesting season of 2026. The CAQM has also reviewed enforcement actions, closures, and resumptions of industrial units by the Enforcement Task Force (ETF), as well as the status of complaints/prosecution filings. Emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and effective implementation of Statutory Directions, especially during the winter season, the commission urged all sectors to strictly comply. Implementing agencies have committed to regularly reviewing air pollution control measures and taking strict actions across various sectors, including under GRAP.