Only electric 3-wheelers to be registered from Jan '27: CAQM, Pg4

Key Highlights:

• CAQM mandates only electric three-wheelers (L5 category) registration in Delhi from January 1, 2027, extending to high-density NCR districts by January 1, 2028, and remaining NCR districts by January 1, 2029.
• Sale of fuel to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will be restricted across NCR from October 1 this year.
• Punjab recorded 8,986 stubble burning incidents between April 1 and May 14 this year.
• CAQM directs implementation of Action Plan for prevention and control of paddy stubble burning in 2026 with a target of complete elimination of paddy stubble burning in the NCR states.
• 46 additional Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) are proposed across the NCR, bringing the total to 157.

Detailed Insights:

• The mandate allows existing CNG or diesel three-wheelers to operate until they are gradually phased out.
• The Commission aims to tighten enforcement against polluting vehicles by restricting fuel sales to those with valid PUCCs.
• CAQM has directed state authorities to step up enforcement measures to curb stubble burning cases.
• State governments have prepared and updated state-specific action plans for this year's paddy harvest season in line with the broad framework provided by the CAQM.
• Revised norms dictate a monitoring density of one CAAQMS station per 25 sq km in Delhi and contiguous cities, and one per 50 sq km in other districts.
• A digital MIS portal is being developed to track implementation of Annual Action Plans across sectors.
• Vehicular sector is identified as a major contributor to PM2.5 emissions in Delhi-NCR, necessitating a transition of three-wheelers to EVs.
• Transport consistently ranks as the most significant source of pollution in Delhi, encompassing both on-road and off-road vehicles powered by petrol, diesel, and CNG.
• Vehicles following modern emission standards, such as BS-VI, demonstrate significantly lower pollutant output than those under older regimes like BS-IV, BS-III, or earlier standards.

Key Concepts Involved:

• CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management): An authority responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the National Capital Region.
• PUCC (Pollution Under Control Certificate): A document certifying that a vehicle meets the prescribed emission standards.
• PM2.5: Fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, a major air pollutant with significant health impacts.