The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that vehicular emissions remain the largest contributor to the deteriorating air quality in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), and proposed 15 long-term remedial measures to improve the Air Quality Index (AQI).
Appearing before a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati submitted that a meta-analysis of studies conducted between 2015 and 2025 confirms that particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in Delhi primarily originate from within NCR through a combination of direct emissions and secondary particulate formation.
Key Recommendations by CAQM:
The CAQM proposed a structured and phased implementation of the following measures to combat vehicular pollution and reduce PM2.5 levels:
- Time-Bound Phasing Out of Polluting Vehicles
Targeted removal of high-emission vehicles based on their emission potential from Delhi-NCR. - Strengthening PUC and On-Road Monitoring
Upgrading the Pollution Under Control (PUC) system to Version 2.0 and deploying remote sensing devices to monitor emissions from moving vehicles. - Expanding Public Transport Infrastructure
Major investments in the expansion of the Regional Rail Transport and Metro network, with new lines and stations. - Development of Multi-Modal Transport Hubs
Seamless connectivity between Metro, Regional Rapid Transit Systems, and other public transport modes. - Last-Mile Connectivity and Real-Time Tracking
Implementation of location-based tracking and real-time passenger information systems for public transport. - Boosting Electric Vehicle (EV) Adoption
Revising EV policies to encourage zero tailpipe emission vehicles and increasing incentives for scrapping old vehicles. - EV Charging Network Expansion
Accelerated development of EV charging and battery-swapping stations. - Retrofitting Certification for EVs
Permission for certified retrofitting of existing vehicles into EVs via agencies like ARAI/ICAT. - Increasing E-Bus Fleet in Cities
Augmentation of city bus fleets with electric/CNG buses as per MoHUA standards. - Gas-Based Fuel Network for Freight
Establishment of a CNG/LNG refueling network across highways and NCR to shift long-haul trucks and commercial fleets to cleaner fuels. - Automation at Border Toll Points
Installation of ANPR cameras and RFID systems to enable seamless toll and cess collection at Delhi’s border entry points. - Integrated Traffic Management Systems (ITMS)
Deployment of ITMS in Delhi and satellite cities like Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad to ensure smoother traffic flow. - Parking Area Management Plans
Implementation of comprehensive parking strategies to curb congestion and idling emissions. - Higher Environmental Protection Charges
Use of economic deterrents to discourage polluting behavior and fund green infrastructure. - Technology-Driven Enforcement
Use of automated number plate recognition, RFID, remote sensing, and AI surveillance for effective enforcement.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing a broader case related to Delhi’s worsening air quality and had earlier sought inputs from statutory authorities like CAQM to frame a comprehensive pollution control strategy. The matter will now proceed with further submissions from stakeholders on implementing these long-term solutions.
The CAQM’s recommendations mark a shift from short-term emergency measures to structural, policy-based interventions aimed at tackling the capital’s perennial pollution crisis at its root.
