Delhi Intensifies Crackdown on High-Polluting Vehicles as CAQM Urges Swift Action

Delhi, November 11, 2024 — The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued a directive to ramp up actions to remove highly polluting vehicles in Delhi, specifically targeting end-of-life (EoL) petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years, which are still found on city roads despite previous regulations. This intensified focus forms part of CAQM’s ongoing strategy to combat Delhi’s persistent air pollution crisis.

The mandate was reinforced in a high-level meeting chaired by the CAQM Chairperson, where the Commission reviewed the progress and impact of measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The meeting highlighted the need for stringent and immediate enforcement in air pollution hotspots and other priority areas across the National Capital Region.

Senior officials from various departments attended the meeting, including representatives from Delhi’s Environment and Transport Departments, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Traffic Police, Delhi Jal Board, and the Public Works Department. Additional representatives from CPWD, NDMC, NHAI, DMRC, DDA, NCRTC, and NBCC were also present.

The Commission emphasized the urgency of strict and unwavering adherence to its directives, underscoring that every agency involved must act decisively against violations and hold violators accountable. CAQM expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of action and the accumulation of unresolved complaints, urging agencies to prioritize and swiftly address every case of violation. Delays in enforcement, the Commission stated, not only weaken the effectiveness of air quality measures but also hinder the timely resolution of public grievances.

The MCD was specifically instructed to review the parking fee structure in public areas to make private vehicle use less attractive and promote public transportation as a cleaner alternative. This aligns with the city’s broader goal to reduce vehicle emissions, a major contributor to the region’s air quality challenges.

By pushing for immediate action and comprehensive enforcement, CAQM aims to alleviate Delhi’s ongoing air quality crisis, especially as pollution levels are expected to spike during the winter months.