Delhi: In a major step aimed at reducing vehicular pollution in the National Capital Region, the Commission for Air Quality Management has announced that only electric three-wheelers in the L5 category will be permitted for registration across NCR in a phased manner over the next few years. The Commission has also introduced new restrictions on fuel supply for vehicles operating without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).

Under the phased implementation plan, the National Capital Territory of Delhi will enforce the rule from January 1, 2027. The policy will later be extended to high vehicle density districts including Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar from January 1, 2028, before covering all remaining NCR districts from January 1, 2029.

CAQM issues directives under Air Quality Management Act

The Commission said the directions were issued under Section 12 of the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021, with the aim of controlling air pollution caused by vehicles operating without valid pollution certificates in Delhi-NCR.

From October 1, 2026, fuel stations across NCR will not dispense fuel to vehicles that do not possess a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate.

The enforcement will rely on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems and other technology-enabled mechanisms to identify vehicles without valid PUCC documents.

Exceptions permitted during emergencies

According to the Commission, exceptions may be granted under extraordinary circumstances such as medical emergencies, law and order duties, disaster response operations, or other situations notified by the Government of NCT of Delhi or the respective NCR state governments.

Authorities in Delhi and NCR states have also been instructed to ensure the installation, integration and operationalisation of technology-enabled enforcement systems, including ANPR camera systems, to support effective monitoring and implementation of the directive.

GRAP Stage-I measures revoked after air quality improvement

Earlier this week, the Commission for Air Quality Management revoked Stage-I actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect following an improvement in air quality levels.

The Sub-Committee on GRAP reviewed the present air quality situation along with forecasts issued by the India Meteorological Department and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.

After the assessment, the panel observed that the Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to remain within the ‘satisfactory to moderate’ category over the coming days.