Delhi AQI Crisis : CAQM Submits Report In Supreme Court Recommending Long Term Measures To Combat NCR Air Pollution

The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas has recommended the continued levy of Environment Compensation Charge, installation of barrier-free toll systems at Delhi's border points, and a series of long-term sector-wise measures to address worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR.

The recommendations were placed before the Supreme Court in a status report filed in the long-running MC Mehta case concerning air pollution in Delhi NCR.

The status report states that based on a meta-analysis of studies from 2015 to 2025, the experts attribute PM2.5 pollution in Delhi to a mix of transport, industry including thermal power plants, road and soil dust, biomass burning, and secondary particulate formation, with varying seasonal contributions.

The Court today directed the Delhi Government, the Delhi municipal bodies and other agencies of the NCR states to submit their 'action taken plan' report on the CAQM's recommendations.

CAQM has suggested the following long-term measures which are required to be prioritized by the concerned Government Departments to resolve air pollution –

On Environment Compensation Charge and levy of tolls

• The levy of Environment Compensation Charge should continue uninterrupted at Delhi's border entry points.
• The Municipal Corporation of Delhi should install and fully operationalise a barrier-free Multi-Lane Free Flow toll system integrated with RFID and Automatic Number Plate Recognition at all 126 toll collection points by October 2026 to prevent vehicular stoppage and congestion.
• If the Multi-Lane Free Flow system is not operationalised within the stipulated timeline, toll collection during peak winter months from November to January should be restricted at nine identified toll plazas only to vehicles liable to pay Environment Compensation Charge, while other vehicles should be exempted from toll during this period until the system becomes fully operational.
• All toll and Environment Compensation Charge collection infrastructure should be located strictly within the territorial jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to resolve jurisdictional disputes.
• Toll rates levied by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Environment Compensation Charge rates fixed by the Supreme Court, which have not been revised since 2015, should be reviewed and rationalised to restore their deterrent effect.
• Unutilised Environment Compensation Charge funds should be fully used for pollution mitigation measures as directed by the Supreme Court.

On dealing with vehicular pollution

• Polluting vehicles should be phased out from Delhi-NCR in a time-bound manner based on emission potential, with scrapping or transfer of such vehicles outside the region.
• The PUC 2.0 network should be strengthened and on-road vehicle emissions should be monitored using remote sensing devices.
• Regional rail transport, metro rail networks and city public bus services should be expanded, including greater use of electric buses and CNG buses, in line with population-based benchmarks.
• Multi-modal transport hubs, last-mile connectivity systems and real-time passenger information systems should be developed to encourage public transport use.
• Electric vehicle policies should be reviewed and strengthened, EV charging and battery-swapping infrastructure should be expanded, and retro-fitment of vehicles to electric should be permitted through certified agencies.
• CNG and LNG fuelling networks should be developed in NCR and along highways to shift long-haul commercial vehicles to cleaner fuels.
• Technology-based enforcement measures such as ANPR, RFID, remote sensing and AI-driven surveillance should be intensified to improve compliance.
• Imposition of higher Environment Protection Charges (presently only 1%) on vehicles of luxury segment diesel cars/ SUVs of 2000cc capacity and above,

On dealing with industrial pollution

• Construction and demolition sites should be monitored through technology-driven systems, with compulsory registration of sites and full collection, processing and utilisation of C&D waste.
• Roads should be redeveloped and maintained as per Indian Road Congress guidelines, with mechanised sweeping, pothole repair and periodic silt-load analysis to control road dust.
• Industrial pollution should be addressed through common boilers for clusters, zero burning of industrial waste, expansion of piped natural gas infrastructure, replacement of polluting furnaces, installation of continuous emission monitoring systems, and elimination of polluting industries in non-conforming areas.
• State Governments to prepare an implementation plan for replacing cupola and other furnaces with electric furnaces through suitable incentives etc.
• No new coal-based thermal power plants should be established within 300 kilometres of Delhi.
• Elimination of coal as fuel in industries in non-NCR areas in the States of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab.

On dealing with pollution caused by waste

• Legacy waste at landfill sites should be completely processed, municipal solid waste processing capacity should be augmented, waste segregation at source should be ensured, and informal waste pickers should be integrated into the formal system.

On dealing with stubble burning

• Crop residue burning should be addressed through procurement of crop residue management machines, strengthening ex-situ management supply chains, promotion of biomass-based plants, and improved satellite-based detection and enforcement.

On increasing green cover and air quality monitoring

• Greening measures including plantations, development of green belts and strengthening of urban green spaces should be undertaken across NCR.
• Air quality governance should be strengthened through expansion of monitoring stations, establishment of integrated command and control centres, strict implementation of expert recommendations on pollution control boards, and preparation and monitoring of annual action plans by NCR states, municipal corporations and development authorities.

The affidavit states that the CAQM has initiated preparation of Annual Action Plans to ensure accountability of NCR States, GNCTD, municipal corporations and development authorities involved in air pollution control.

“For this purpose, an indicative template was issued by the Commission to guide the formulation of these Action Plans. Accordingly, the NCR States and concerned implementing agencies have prepared their respective Annual Action Plans for the calendar year 2026 by identifying gaps, outlining time- bound, measurable and sector-specific interventions targeting major sources of air pollution, including industry, transport, construction activities, road dust and waste management, among others. The Commission will undertake regular reviews of these Action Plans to strengthen their implementation, taking into account emerging challenges and feedback from ground- level enforcement”, CAQM's affidavit states.

The affidavit adds that the Commission will undertake regular reviews of these plans, while their implementation is also being monitored by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and ensure timely corrective action.

Case no. – WP (C) 13029/1985

Case Title – MC Mehta v. Union of India