The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reviewed enforcement measures and preparedness efforts by governments and agencies across Delhi-NCR to improve air pollution control before winter. This review took place during the 25th meeting of the Sub-Committee on Safeguarding and Enforcement, chaired by Rajesh Verma on June 12.

The meeting evaluated the progress made by the National Capital Territory of Delhi, NCR states, and Punjab in following the statutory directions from the Commission. Discussions highlighted major pollution sources like vehicular emissions, construction and demolition waste, road dust, stubble burning, municipal solid waste management, and industrial emissions. The review is part of ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with air quality regulations and achieve lasting reductions in pollution levels in the region.

Focus on Vehicular Emissions and Cleaner Mobility

Vehicular pollution was a major topic during the meeting. The Commission reviewed the status of installing and operating Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at fuel and CNG stations across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. These systems aim to enforce restrictions on fueling vehicles that lack valid Pollution Under Control Certificates starting October 1, 2026.

The implementation of cleaner mobility measures under Direction No. 94 was also discussed. Authorities reviewed compliance by motor vehicle aggregators, e-commerce companies, and delivery services, which have been asked to speed up the adoption of cleaner vehicles. The Commission assessed enforcement mechanisms, web portal development, and inspection systems to ensure effective implementation.

The Commission also examined actions against End-of-Life vehicles, especially older BS-III and lower category vehicles, following Supreme Court directions. Traffic congestion hotspots across Delhi and NCR towns were reviewed. Agencies reported on measures like improved traffic management, extra personnel deployment, and infrastructure upgrades designed to cut vehicle emissions. They also discussed progress towards completely phasing out diesel auto-rickshaws across NCR districts by the end of 2026.

Managing Road Dust and Construction Waste

Road dust and construction activities remain significant contributors to air pollution in the region. The Commission reviewed the collection, transportation, and processing of construction and demolition waste while assessing efforts to boost processing capacity and improve recycling.

Authorities updated the Commission on ongoing efforts to manage the estimated 5,500 to 6,000 metric tonnes of construction and demolition waste generated daily in Delhi. They reviewed existing processing facilities and plans for adding capacity to ensure efficient waste handling.

Measures to reduce dust emissions from demolition and construction sites were also examined. The Commission gave special attention to road dust mitigation initiatives, including acquiring and deploying additional mechanical road-sweeping machines. Agencies have been directed to ensure this equipment is in place before September 30, 2026, especially in identified dust hotspots. This preparation aims for the winter pollution season and the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

States Review Preparedness to Eliminate Stubble Burning

The Commission conducted a thorough review of preparations for the 2026 paddy harvesting season, focusing on preventing stubble burning incidents. Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh shared action plans and preparedness measures under Direction No. 99 aimed at stopping crop residue burning.

Officials reported progress in promoting crop diversification, Direct Seeded Rice cultivation, biomass use, and industrial use of crop residue. Awareness campaigns and programs targeting farmers are being expanded to encourage sustainable residue management practices.

The implementation of Direction No. 92 regarding the use of paddy straw-based biomass pellets in brick kilns was another key area of review. The Commission stressed targets for increasing levels of co-firing paddy straw pellets and briquettes in brick kilns located outside NCR districts. The goal is to reach 30 percent usage by November 2026 and increase it to 50 percent by November 2028.

During inspections, the Commission noticed that several brick kilns still use fuels not allowed under current regulations. Enforcement agencies have been instructed to increase inspections to ensure compliance with the statutory directions.

Waste Management and Industrial Compliance Under Scrutiny

Municipal solid waste management was another priority discussed during the meeting. The Commission reviewed the progress in clearing legacy waste, expanding waste processing infrastructure, and managing daily waste generation. They also assessed measures to prevent open burning of waste and biomass.

Authorities provided updates on efforts to strengthen scientific waste disposal systems, reduce landfill fire risks, and improve monitoring. The Commission highlighted the importance of maintaining adequate waste-processing capacity and ensuring timely implementation of waste management projects.

The Commission examined industrial emissions under Direction No. 98. They learned that industries not meeting the particulate matter emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ would face strict actions, including closure. These revised standards will apply from August 1, 2026, for large and medium industries, and from October 1, 2026, for other industrial units.

Stronger Monitoring and Enforcement Mechanisms Planned

The review also included annual action plans from NCR states and Delhi, installation of new Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations, and improvements to compliance monitoring systems. Agencies reported progress on surprise inspections of industries, construction sites, and diesel generator sets to ensure adherence to environmental regulations.

The Commission also looked at how pollution complaints received via social media are handled, the integration of government portals with the proposed Integrated Command and Control Centre, and the implementation of public awareness campaigns under the air pollution reduction framework issued earlier this year.

At the end of the meeting, all participating agencies reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Commission’s directives promptly. The Commission emphasized that consistent enforcement, regular monitoring, and coordinated actions across sectors are crucial for improving air quality and reducing pollution levels in Delhi-NCR in the coming months.