Scrap vehicles, free happy seeder machines for farmers: CAQM roadmap in Supreme Court to tackle Delhi pollution

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday placed before the Supreme Court a comprehensive set of long-term measures proposed to be introduced in a phased manner for abatement of air pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati told the Court that CAQM has placed the measures before court and that suggestions have been put up on its website for wider deliberations.

The measures include time-bound phasing out of polluting vehicles, free happy seeder machines for farmers to prevent stubble burning, expansion of metro rail network and ban on new thermal power plants within 300 kilometer radius of Delhi.

In an order passed today, a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi said there was no doubt that the long-term measures recommended by the Commission must be implemented without delay.

The Bench also noted the CAQM’s assessment of the persistent air quality situation and its recommendations to decongest entry into Delhi. It directed the concerned agencies, particularly the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and authorities of neighbouring States, to proceed with implementation of the suggestions without delay.

The measures suggested by the CAQM are:

Vehicular pollution

In relation to vehicular emissions, CAQM proposed a combination of regulatory, technological and infrastructure-based interventions aimed at reducing emissions from private and commercial vehicles while shifting travel demand towards public and zero-emission transport systems across Delhi-NCR.

Long-term measures proposed include:

- Time-bound phasing out of polluting vehicles based on emission potential, with scrapping or transfer outside NCR;

- Strengthening of PUC 2.0 and on-road emissions monitoring through remote sensing devices;

- Expansion of Metro Rail and regional rail networks;

- Development of multi-modal transport hubs and improved last-mile connectivity;

- Augmentation of city bus services through e-buses and CNG buses;

- Review and revision of Electric Vehicle (EV) policies with higher scrapage incentives;

- Expansion of EV charging and battery-swapping infrastructure;

- Permitting retro-fitment of vehicles to EVs subject to ARAI/ICAT certification;

- Development of CNG/LNG fuelling networks for long-haul and commercial vehicles;

- Installation of MLFF-enabled ANPR and RFID tolling systems at Delhi border entry points;

- Deployment of Integrated Traffic Management Systems in major NCR cities;

- Implementation of parking area management plans;

- Review of higher environment protection charges on luxury diesel vehicles of 2000 cc and above.

Construction, road dust and right of way management

To address dust pollution from construction activity and road infrastructure, CAQM proposed sustained monitoring, improved waste handling and scientific road maintenance to ensure long-term reduction of re-suspended dust across urban and industrial areas.

Long-term measures proposed include:

- Technology-driven monitoring of construction sites throughout the year;

- Establishment of Integrated Command and Control Centres;

- Mandatory registration of construction sites on SPCB, DPCC or ULB portals;

- Collection, transportation and processing of construction and demolition waste;

- Complete offtake of recycled C&D waste materials;

- Redevelopment of roads as per IRC guidelines and establishment of Road Asset Management Systems;

- Mechanised road sweeping using machines suitable for varying road widths;

- Priority identification and repair of potholes;

Periodic silt-load analysis to identify high-dust corridors.

Industrial pollution

For industrial sources, CAQM proposed structural changes in fuel usage, waste management and emissions monitoring, with a focus on eliminating highly polluting practices and ensuring regulatory compliance across industrial clusters.

Long-term measures proposed include:

- Formulation of plans for common boilers in industrial clusters;

- Comprehensive industrial waste management with zero burning;

- Development of PNG infrastructure with uniform and affordable pricing;

- Replacement of cupola and other furnaces with electric furnaces;

- Elimination or regulation of polluting industries in non-conforming areas;

- Mandatory installation of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS);

- Examination of stricter emission norms for critical air-polluting industries;

- Preparation of action plans for elimination of coal as fuel in specified non-NCR areas.

Thermal power plants

Taking into account emissions from coal-based thermal power plants, CAQM proposed restrictions on future capacity addition in the proximity of Delhi to prevent further deterioration of air quality.

Long-term measure proposed:

- No new coal-based thermal power plant to be established within 300 kilometres of Delhi.

Waste burning and landfill fires

To prevent air pollution from open burning of biomass and municipal solid waste, CAQM proposed strengthening of waste processing systems, community-level interventions and elimination of legacy waste at landfill sites.

Long-term measures proposed include:

- Complete processing of legacy waste at landfill sites within set timelines;

- Augmentation of municipal solid waste processing capacity;

- Strengthening of waste collection in unauthorised colonies and slum areas;

- 100 percent waste segregation at source;

- Integration of informal waste pickers into formal waste management systems;

- Intensive public awareness and citizen engagement campaigns;

- Provision of electric heaters, community warming centres and kitchens during winter.

Paddy stubble burning

For prevention and control of paddy stubble burning, CAQM suggested both in-situ and ex-situ interventions to support farmers and ensure sustained alternatives to open burning.

Long-term measures proposed include:

- Free availability of crop residue management machines (happy seeder machines) to small and marginal farmers;

- Strengthening supply chains for ex-situ stubble management;

- Promotion of biomass utilisation plants including pellets, CBG and bioenergy units;

- Enhanced detection and monitoring through satellites and field-level enforcement.

Greening and air quality governance

In addition to sector-specific measures, CAQM batted for expansion of green cover and institutional strengthening of air quality monitoring and enforcement mechanisms across Delhi-NCR.

Long-term measures proposed include:

- Plantation drives in avenues, parks, open spaces and degraded forest lands;

- Development of green belts around industrial clusters, highways and pollution hotspots;

- Phased augmentation of ambient air quality monitoring stations;

- Establishment of technology-driven Integrated Command and Control Centres;

- Strict implementation of earlier directions to strengthen SPCBs and the DPCC, in terms of the Supreme Court’s order dated May 8, 2025.