**Executive Summary**
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee met on June 12, 2026, to review enforcement measures and preparedness across NCR states and Punjab to curb regional air pollution. Key objectives include the time-bound implementation of statutory directions, such as the mandatory installation of ANPR cameras at fuel stations by October 1, 2026, and the complete phase-out of diesel auto-rickshaws by December 31, 2026. Implementing agencies reaffirmed their commitment to strict monitoring, surprise inspections, and meeting upcoming deadlines for industrial and vehicular emission controls.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Vehicular Sector and Traffic Management**
* **PUCC Enforcement:** Installation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at all Fuel/CNG stations in Delhi-NCR by October 1, 2026, to restrict fueling for vehicles without valid certificates.
* **Cleaner Mobility:** Motor vehicle aggregators, delivery services, and e-commerce entities must fast-track the transition to cleaner mobility by January 1, 2026.
* **Vehicle Phase-outs:** Strict enforcement against End-Of-Life (EoL) vehicles (BS-III and below) and the total phase-out of diesel auto-rickshaws in NCR districts by December 31, 2026.
* **Congestion Control:** Identification and management of traffic hotspots to reduce vehicular emissions through infrastructure and additional personnel.
**Dust and Waste Management**
* **C&D Waste:** Management of 5,500–6,000 MT of daily construction and demolition waste in Delhi, including capacity augmentation and dust mitigation at sites.
* **Road Dust:** Procurement and deployment of mechanical road sweeping machines (MRSMs) by September 30, 2026, targeting identified hotspots before the winter season.
* **Solid Waste:** Liquidation of legacy municipal solid waste (MSW) and prevention of open burning and landfill fires through strengthened monitoring.
**Stubble Burning and Industrial Controls**
* **Agricultural Measures:** Implementation of action plans for the complete elimination of paddy stubble burning in 2026 through crop diversification and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR).
* **Brick Kilns:** Mandated co-firing of paddy straw-based biomass pellets in brick kilns, aiming for 30% usage by November 1, 2026, and reaching 50% by 2028.
* **Industrial Emissions:** Large and medium industries must meet a PM emission limit of 50 mg/Nm³ by August 1, 2026, while all other industries must comply by October 1, 2026, or face closure.
**Monitoring and Governance**
* **Infrastructure:** Installation of additional Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) based on new norms.
* **Digital Integration:** Development of APIs to integrate state portals with the Integrated Command & Control Centre (I3C) and timely resolution of social media complaints.
* **Inspections:** Conduct of incognito and surprise inspections at C&D sites, industrial units, and for DG sets to ensure compliance.
**Impact Analysis**
**NCR State Governments (UP, Haryana, Rajasthan) and GNCTD**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the large-scale implementation of statutory directions and infrastructure development.
* **Action Required:** Ensure installation of ANPR cameras, deploy road sweeping machines by Sept 2026, and integrate department portals with the CAQM’s Integrated Command & Control Centre.
**Industrial Units**
* **Impact:** Subject to stringent particulate matter (PM) emission limits and potential closure for non-compliance.
* **Action Required:** Large and medium units must achieve PM limits of 50 mg/Nm³ by August 1, 2026; all others by October 1, 2026.
**Motor Vehicle Aggregators and E-commerce Entities**
* **Impact:** Required to shift fleet operations toward cleaner mobility options.
* **Action Required:** Transition to cleaner mobility services by January 1, 2026, and comply with surprise inspections and web-portal monitoring.
**Brick Kiln Operators (Punjab and Haryana)**
* **Impact:** Operational requirements changed to mandate biomass fuel usage.
* **Action Required:** Implement 30% co-firing of paddy straw pellets/briquettes by November 1, 2026, and cease the use of unapproved fuels.
**Vehicle Owners and Fuel Station Operators**
* **Impact:** Fueling becomes contingent on valid emissions certification (PUCC).
* **Action Required:** Fuel stations must operationalize ANPR technology; vehicle owners must maintain valid PUCC to access fuel starting October 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): The primary regulatory body responsible for reviewing enforcement measures and issuing statutory directions to curb air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region.
Delhi-NCR and Punjab: The central geographical areas where the commission's pollution control measures, including vehicular restrictions and stubble burning bans, are strictly enforced.
Statutory Directions of CAQM: A series of legally binding mandates (including Directions 101, 94, 99, 98, and 70) that regulate ANPR installation, cleaner mobility, industrial emissions, and stubble burning.
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): A set of emergency response measures scheduled for deployment during the winter season to mitigate road dust and other major pollutants.
Supreme Court order dated 17.12.2025: A specific legal directive mandating enforcement actions against End-Of-Life (EoL) vehicles, specifically those rated BS-III and below.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM reviews enforcement measures across
key sectors to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR
NCR States, GNCTD and Punjab reaffirm commitment to
time-bound implementation of CAQM directions
प्रव तथ: 13 JUN 2026 8:26PM by PIB Delhi
The Sub-Committee on Safeguarding & Enforcement of the Commission for Air Quality Management in
NCR and Adjoining Areas, in its 25th meeting held on 12.06.2026 under the chairmanship of Shri Rajesh
Verma, reviewed the status of enforcement actions and preparedness measures undertaken by the NCR
State Governments, the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) and the Government of Punjab across
key sectors contributing to air pollution in the region.
The review covered the following key sectors and issues related to implementation of the Commission's
Statutory Directions and other pollution-control measures:
Vehicular Sector:
• Status of implementation of Direction No. 101 regarding installation and operationalization of
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at all Fuel/CNG stations by GNCTD and
the State Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan for enforcement of restrictions on
fuelling of vehicles without valid PUCC in NCR with effect from 01.10.2026.
• Status of enforcement for implementation of Direction No. 94 regarding fast-tracking of cleaner
mobility in services provided by Motor Vehicle Aggregators, Delivery Service Providers and E-
Commerce Entities with effect from 01.01.2026, including development of web portals and
enforcement through surprise checks/inspections and compliance monitoring.
• Review of status of enforcement against End-Of-Life (EoL) vehicles (BS-III and below) in
compliance with the Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated 17.12.2025.
• Identification of traffic congestion hotspots/intersections across Delhi and NCR towns and
measures undertaken for decongestion, traffic management and reduction of vehicular emissions.
The Commission reviewed progress made in addressing identified congestion points and
deployment of additional traffic management personnel and infrastructure.
• The Commission also reviewed the status of phasing out diesel auto-rickshaws from the NCR
districts completely by 31.12.2026 (Direction No. 70).
Road Dust and Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste:
• Status of collection, transportation, processing and scientific management of Construction &
Demolition (C&D) waste, including augmentation of processing capacities and offtake of recycled
products by ULBs and other agencies, was reviewed in detail.• Progress made in operation of existing C&D waste processing facilities and establishment of
additional processing capacity for effective management of approximately 5,500–6,000 MT of C&D
waste generated daily in Delhi.
• Review of measures undertaken for mitigation of dust at C&D sites through effective management
of demolition waste.
• Mitigation of road dust, procurement of additional mechanical road sweeping machines (MRSMs)
and deployment by 30.09.2026 before the start of winter season of GRAP for removing dust from
all roads, particularly in identified dust hotspots across Delhi-NCR.
Stubble Burning:
• Status of action taken for preparedness for implementation of Direction No. 99 and Action Plans
prepared by the States of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for prevention and control of paddy
stubble burning during 2026 with the objective of complete elimination of such incidents.
• Progress made in promotion of crop diversification, Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), biomass
utilization, industrial utilization of crop residue and implementation of extensive IEC and awareness
programmes among farmers.
• Status of action taken for implementation of Direction No. 92 mandating use of paddy straw-based
biomass pellets in brick kilns (aiming for 30% by 01.11.2026) located in the State of Punjab and
non-NCR districts of Haryana for prevention and control of paddy stubble burning was also
reviewed in detail. State Governments of Punjab and Haryana, through Direction No. 92, have been
directed by the Commission to mandate use of paddy straw-based biomass pellets/briquettes in all
brick kilns located in districts beyond NCR as one of the measures towards elimination of open
paddy stubble burning, aiming for 50% co-firing of paddy straw-based pellets/briquettes with a
target of at least 20% w.e.f. 01.11.2025, 30% w.e.f. 01.11.2026, 40% w.e.f. 01.11.2027 and 50%
w.e.f. 01.11.2028.
• During the review meeting, it was observed that many brick kilns in the region are still using
unapproved fuels for their operations. Concerned enforcement agencies were accordingly directed
by the Commission to conduct intensified inspections and ensure that the Commission’s Statutory
Directions are followed earnestly.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)/Bio-mass Management:
• Status of liquidation of legacy waste (MSW) and capacity augmentation of infrastructure to handle
daily fresh waste generation, prevention and control of open burning of MSW and bio-mass, and
augmentation of waste processing infrastructure across Delhi-NCR.
• Measures undertaken by concerned agencies for scientific disposal of waste, prevention of landfill
fires and strengthening of monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
Others:
• Status of implementation and progress made under Annual Action Plans by NCR State
Governments, GNCTD and concerned agencies for abatement of air pollution in the region.
• Status of installation of additional Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations
(CAAQMS) in NCR districts as per new norms.
• Status of implementation of Direction No. 98 regarding stringent emission standards in industries
across Delhi-NCR. It was informed that industrial units not following the prescribed PM emission
limit of 50 mg/Nm³ (w.e.f. 01.08.2026 for large and medium industries and w.e.f. 01.10.2026 for
remaining industries) shall face strict action, including closure.• Review of enforcement mechanisms, incognito/surprise inspections of C&D sites, industries and
DG sets, and compliance monitoring undertaken by implementing agencies for effective
implementation of Statutory Directions issued by the Commission.
• Progress made in timely resolution of complaints received on social media platforms and tagged to
concerned agencies in GNCTD/NCR States by CPCB as per the Standard Operating Procedure
(SoP).
• Status of provision of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) of existing State
Government/Department portals for integration with the Integrated Command & Control Centre
(I3C) being developed by the Commission.
• Status of formulation of IEC Plan and activities undertaken in accordance with the "Framework
for targeted Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities by NCR States and
GNCTD for abatement of air pollution" dated 03.03.2026 issued by the Commission.
All implementing agencies reaffirmed their commitment to undertake strict, targeted and time-bound
actions for effective implementation of the Commission’s Directions and to regularly review sector-
specific actions towards abatement of air pollution in the region.
*****
GS
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