• Source:JND

Delhi Air Pollution: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that vehicular pollution is the biggest contributor to air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The commission has recommended 15 long-term measures to improve the deteriorating air quality index (AQI).

Appearing for CAQM, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told a bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalaya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi that a meta-analysis of studies from 2015 to 2025 shows that the source of PM2.5 in Delhi is a combination of primary emissions and secondary particle formation within the NCR.

CAQM's 15 suggestions

The CAQM has suggested the following measures for implementation in a phased manner:

1. Time-bound phasing out of polluting vehicles from Delhi-NCR based on their emission potential.

2. Strengthening PUC 2.0 and monitoring road vehicles with remote sensing devices.

3. Expanding regional rail transport and metro rail network with more lines and stations in Delhi and NCR.

4. Developing multi-modal transport hubs connecting the metro and regional rapid transit systems.

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5. Ensuring last-mile connectivity and implementing real-time passenger information system with location-based tracking for public transport.

6. Review and revise relevant electric vehicle policies to transition all vehicles to zero tailpipe emissions.

7. Provide greater incentives to owners who scrap old vehicles.

8. Rapidly expand EV charging infrastructure to match vehicle growth, including swappable battery stations.
Allowing retrofit of vehicles with EV certification by ARAI/ICAT.

9. Augmentation of city public bus service with e-buses/CNG based on population as per the model yardstick and service level benchmark of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

10. Developing a plan for CNG/LNG fuel network in NCR and on highways to convert long-haul trucking and other commercial vehicles to gas.

11. Ensuring multi-lane free flow toll/cess collection by installing ANPR cameras and automated RFID at all border entry points of Delhi.

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12. Implementation of Integrated Traffic Management System in Delhi and other major urban areas (especially Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat) to ensure smooth and efficient traffic movement.

13. Implementation of Parking Area Management Plans in Delhi and NCR.

14. Imposing higher environmental protection fees.

15. Intensify enforcement through technology-based solutions like automatic number plate recognition, radio frequency identification, remote sensing techniques, AI-based surveillance, etc.


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