Delhi, 11 December (H.S.): The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has identified vehicular emissions as one of the most significant contributors to the persistently poor air quality in Delhi-NCR, urging immediate corrective steps to safeguard public health.

In an affidavit before the Supreme Court, the commission sought a review of the apex court’s August 12 order that barred coercive action against owners of 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in the capital region. The order had put on hold the court’s earlier ruling from October 2018, which endorsed a 2014 NGT directive to keep ageing, polluting vehicles off the roads.

CAQM said that, given the huge emission gap between BS-III and older vehicles versus BS-VI standards, such vehicles should not be protected under the August 12, 2025 order. It emphasised that curbing vehicular pollution remains a core priority in its coordination with NCR states and the Delhi government.

The commission recommended several urgent measures, including:

• Immediate notification of vehicle aggregator policies by NCR states and the GNCTD.

• Creation of a real-time enforcement portal to strictly implement the “zero on-road parking” rule from October to January.

• A ban on new coal-based thermal power plants within 300 km of Delhi, with further restrictions if necessary.

• Revised and accelerated EV policies for all vehicle categories, with clear timelines for adoption.

• Higher Environment Protection Charges on luxury vehicles and diesel SUVs above 2000 cc, as per the Supreme Court’s 2016 order, with funds channeled into air pollution mitigation.

CAQM also stressed the urgent need to eliminate all legacy municipal solid waste within set deadlines and expand waste management infrastructure to match daily and future waste generation levels.

The affidavit comes amid heightened judicial scrutiny. On November 19, the Supreme Court asked CAQM to consider ordering Delhi-NCR schools to postpone open-air sports events scheduled for November and December due to hazardous pollution levels. The court said it would continue monthly monitoring of the city’s air quality crisis, calling for a “proactive approach” by all authorities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar