The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented a series of target-driven measures such as the introduction of electric three-wheelers, further reducing the use of fuels and stepping up the fight against the burning of crop stubble to fight severe air pollution issues in the National Capital Region (NCR). 

The new instruction will mandate that all petrol and CNG three wheelers will convert to electric vehicles (EVs) within a certain time limit in the NCR. The directive comes as part of a new policy aimed at reducing polluting emissions from vehicles, a key contributor to the region's known low air quality during the winter season. 

CAQM officials have also beefed up rules applicable to the use of inferior fuels and set restrictions on vehicles that don't meet standards. The steps are in addition to strengthening the enforcement of pollution abatement standards like the PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate inspection for vehicles, which will help to keep emissions within pollution norms. 

The other main component of the plan is a reintensified push for a ban on stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana, a practice that has grown into an integral part of the agricultural process and is responsible for several smoggy days in the autumn and winter. CAQM has requested state governments to set up additional monitoring teams and penalties to curb the burning of crop residues and has increased funding for alternatives such as straw management technologies. 

For coordination of implementation, the commission has requested regular meetings with state pollution control boards, transport and local authorities of the NCR. Coordinated action along with multi-state efforts are important to decrease the amount of pollutants and to safeguard community health. 

The measures were welcomed by environmental experts but they warned that implementation will be essential to success, as well as boosting EV charging infrastructure and expanding farmer support schemes which will make alternatives to burning viable. They said air quality improvements via short-term pollution-limit restrictions should be reinforced by longer-term plans that include methods of reducing air pollutant emissions from the transport and industry and energy sectors. 

The new orders issued by the CAQM aim to prevent high pollution events and would help to bring the region to a better future of clean and healthy air, especially as winter is just around the corner when particulate matter concentration tends to peak.