New Delhi: Commission for Air Quality Management on Friday announced a phased rollout mandating only electric three-wheelers of the L5 category for registration across the National Capital Region (NCR), while also introducing stricter fuel rules for vehicles operating without valid pollution certificates.
According to the Commission, the National Capital Territory of Delhi will implement the rule from January 1, 2027. The mandate will later extend to high vehicle density districts in NCR, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar, from January 1, 2028. The remaining districts across NCR will implement the policy from January 1, 2029.
The Commission said the directions were issued “with a view to curbing air pollution caused by vehicles operating without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) in Delhi-NCR,” under powers granted through Section 12 of the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
Under the new directive, 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 be carried out using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems and other technology-enabled mechanisms.
However, the Commission stated that exceptions may be permitted in extraordinary situations including medical emergencies, law and order duties, disaster response operations and other cases notified by the Government of NCT of Delhi or respective NCR state governments.
Authorities in Delhi and NCR states have been instructed to ensure installation, integration and operationalisation of suitable technology-enabled enforcement systems, including ANPR camera systems, for effective implementation and monitoring of the directive.
Earlier this week, the CAQM revoked actions under Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect after noting a significant improvement in air quality.
The Sub-Committee on GRAP, after reviewing air quality data and forecasts from IMD and IITM, observed that Air Quality Index levels are likely to remain in the “satisfactory to moderate” category over the coming days.
