CAQM outlines detailed plan to improve Delhi’s air quality, forecasts more blue-sky days over next 3–4 years

New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has outlined a detailed strategy to further curb air pollution in Delhi and its neighbouring regions, projecting an increase in the number of clear “blue-sky” days over the next three to four years, according to a TOI report.

Tarun Kumar Pithode, a 2009-batch IAS officer and the newly appointed full-time member secretary of the CAQM, said in an interview to TOI, that the commission has gained a strong understanding of pollution sources since its formation five years ago, with visible improvements in the city’s air quality index (AQI). A new emission inventory and source apportionment study for Delhi-NCR, using 2026 as the base year, is being prepared to improve forecasting and planning.

Pithode cited progress in reducing crop stubble burning with fewer farm fires and a smaller burnt area, as one of the commission’s key achievements, which has contributed to a reduction in the number of days with AQI above 450. Industries in the National Capital Region are now largely operating on permitted, cleaner fuels


To address industrial emissions, CAQM has mandated the installation of air pollution control devices (APCD) and online continuous emission monitoring systems (OCEMS). The Union environment minister has directed that all industries complete OCEMS installation by December 31. Teams from pollution control boards and CAQM are inspecting facilities to verify compliance.

On the transportation front, CAQM has ordered that inter-city buses entering Delhi run on BS-VI, CNG or electric fuel. Commercial vehicles from outside the city that are BS-III or below are no longer permitted within Delhi. From January 1, 2026, only electric or CNG vehicles will be inducted into certain commercial vehicle categories, and conventional petrol or diesel vehicles will not be newly added.

The commission is also encouraging state governments to formulate electric vehicle (EV) policies supported by adequate charging infrastructure, battery-swap facilities and training for EV maintenance. State governments have been asked to expand their fleets of electric buses and improve first- and last-mile public transport connectivity.

For the first time, CAQM plans to monitor crop residue burning during the rabi season to ensure that wheat stubble is not burnt during the summer. New norms for mechanised road sweepers to clean roads are also being framed.

Air quality monitoring is being strengthened with the number of real-time continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) in Delhi-NCR set to increase from 84 to 111 with 27 additional stations. Low-cost sensors will be installed at large construction sites to measure dust emissions, and road agencies are being encouraged to deploy similar sensors.

CAQM’s new emission inventory and source apportionment study, being developed by a consortium including ARAI, TERI, IITM Pune and IIT Delhi, is expected to be completed by 2027. The updated data and improved forecasting algorithms are intended to help guide future interventions.

Pithode said while factors such as weather and geography will continue to influence air quality, sustained policy implementation and coordinated enforcement across agencies could significantly reduce the average AQI and deliver more days of better air quality in the coming years.

With inputs from TOI