The 29th meeting of the Full Commission of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas was held on 18.08.2026 under the Chairmanship of Shri Rajesh Verma. It approved issuance of Direction No. 102 mandating new registration of cleaner modes of Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) in Delhi-NCR in a phased manner, in view of the significant contribution of the vehicular sector to PM2.5 emissions in Delhi-NCR and the disproportionately high particulate emissions from LGVs.

LGVs constitute only about 1.2% of the active vehicle stock but contribute approximately 3.3% of PM emissions from the total active fleet. Under Direction No. 102, phased restrictions on registration of Diesel/ Petrol/ CNG N1 LGVs will commence from 01.01.2027 in Delhi and from 01.07.2027 in the High Vehicle Density (HVD) Districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. In the remaining Districts of NCR, registration of Diesel/ Petrol N1 LGVs will be restricted w.e.f. 01.01.2028. Phased restrictions on registration of N2 LGVs will commence from 01.01.2028, 01.07.2028 and 01.01.2029, respectively.

Direction No. 103, approved for prevention and control of air pollution from Stone Crushing Units in NCR, seeks to strengthen control of fugitive dust emissions by incorporating the dust mitigation measures prescribed under CPCB's Environmental Guidelines for Stone Crushing Units, 2023 into CTO conditions of stone crushing units. Technology-enabled continuous remote monitoring, including video surveillance, PM2.5/PM10 sensors and wheel washing, has also been provided for effective enforcement.

A revised procedure for permitting resumption of operations in cases where Closure Directions have been issued by CAQM was also approved. The revised procedure provides for submission of corrective/ preventive compliance along with requisite evidence and a notarized affidavit. The SPCBs/DPCC shall verify and recover applicable Environmental Compensation (EC) concurrently. CAQM may also undertake independent/random verification through CPCB Flying Squads, with further closure action in case of non-compliance.

Financial assistance was approved for four R&D projects recommended by the Project Evaluation and Appraisal Committee (PEAC) under the Call for Proposals 2025-26. The projects cover road dust exposure, mechanical road sweeping technologies, particulate matter profiling/source apportionment in high-rise buildings, and forecasting of rice residue burning. The total approved financial assistance is Rs. 3,25,56,393/- for two years.

The relaxation under Direction No. 65 till 13.09.2026 was also noted. It permits temporary use of alternate fuels in place of natural gas by industries, hotels, restaurants and other enterprises in NCR, including Delhi, in view of the extraordinary global energy supply situation arising from the conflict in the Middle East.

The Commission also noted amendments issued through circulation to Direction No. 86 dated 02.01.2025 and Direction No. 98 dated 20.02.2026. The amendment to Direction No. 86 extends its implementation to other Municipal Corporations and bigger cities/towns in NCR, while the amendment to Direction No. 98 extends the timeline to 01.10.2026 for implementation of revised particulate matter emission standards for industries across Delhi-NCR.

It also noted the status of Environmental Compensation imposed on six Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) for non-achievement of biomass co-firing targets during 2024-25. EC amounting to Rs. 61.85 crore was imposed on the six non-compliant TPPs, of which 50% amounting to Rs. 30.92 crore had been received, in compliance with interim orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

As on 10.08.2026, 1,816 violating units had been issued Closure Orders, of which 1,461 cases had been considered for resumption following compliance, while 126 cases had been transferred to SPCBs/DPCCs for further action. The Commission was apprised of the status of Enforcement Task Force (ETF) decisions, inspections, closures and resumption of units since the previous Commission meeting.

During the period under review, Stage-I of GRAP was invoked on 19.05.2026 and revoked on 29.05.2026, remaining in force for 11 days. The Commission was informed about the invocation and revocation of GRAP since the last Commission meeting.

Progress of greening and plantation activities in Delhi-NCR against the targets fixed for 2026-27 was also noted. Against an overall target of 4,60,54,740 plantations, including trees, shrubs and bamboo, 2,53,30,816 plantations had been achieved as on 04.08.2026. The Commission advised concerned authorities to achieve the stipulated targets and ensure regular monitoring for plantation survival.

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VM/GS

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