In a significant move to combat the capital region's persistent air quality crisis, an expert panel formed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) convened for its first meeting on Monday. The committee's primary mandate is to develop concrete strategies to curb harmful emissions from vehicles in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Focus on Data, EVs, and Emission Norms
The inaugural session delved into critical areas that will shape the panel's future recommendations. A major point of discussion was the segment-wise contribution of different vehicle types to overall emissions. The committee also examined the associated public exposure risks, the current state of readiness for Electric Vehicles (EVs), and the pressing infrastructure needs to support a large-scale transition to cleaner mobility.
This panel was established following a review of policies related to clean mobility, including the Bharat Stage (BS) emission standards, various electric mobility initiatives, and existing fuel-efficiency regulations. The need for such a review is underscored by stark data: past emission inventory studies have painted a concerning picture of the transport sector's role in Delhi's PM2.5 pollution.
Studies by IIT-Kanpur (2015), TERI-ARAI (2018), and SAFAR (2018) estimated the transport sector's contribution at 20%, 39%, and 41% respectively, highlighting the urgent need for targeted action.
Committee Composition and Forward Path
The high-powered committee is led by Chairman Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala and Co-Chairman Dr. (Prof.) Randeep Guleria. It brings together expertise from a wide range of prestigious institutions and government bodies. Members include representatives from:
- Niti Aayog
- IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur
- Centre for Science and Environment
- International Council on Clean Transportation
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
- The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
- CAQM itself
The CAQM stated that the committee is tasked with placing "concrete, actionable recommendations" in its forthcoming meetings. The panel has already scheduled its next session for December 18 to advance its work.
Legal Context and Older Vehicles
In a related development, the CAQM's efforts dovetail with its ongoing legal stance on polluting older vehicles. Separately, the commission has approached the Supreme Court seeking a review of its order from August 12. That order had restrained authorities from taking coercive action against 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in Delhi.
The CAQM has recommended that this relief should not be extended to vehicles compliant with BS-III and older emission norms, arguing for their phased removal from the capital's roads to achieve meaningful air quality improvements.
The formation and immediate activation of this expert panel signal a renewed, evidence-driven push to address one of the most significant sources of pollution in North India. The coming weeks are expected to yield specific policy suggestions that could reshape mobility and emission control frameworks in the Delhi-NCR region.
