SDG 13: Climate Action | SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
Institutions: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) | Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
On 17 October 2025, the 25th meeting of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was held under Chairperson Rajesh Verma to assess readiness for the upcoming winter season and strengthen enforcement in the Delhi NCR region.
Key decisions and directions:
Ratified Direction No. 95 (1 Oct 2025): empowering District Collectors / Magistrates in Punjab, Haryana, NCR-regions (Rajasthan, UP) and NCT Delhi to file complaints against officers or agencies failing in stubble burning enforcement.
Amended Direction No. 88 (23 April 2025) to strictly ban entry of commercial goods vehicles (LGV, MGV, HGV) not meeting BS-VI / CNG / LNG / EV standards into Delhi from 1 Nov 2025, as a transition measure.
Allowed BS-IV commercial vehicles to enter until 31 Oct 2026 as a phased transition.
Deferred enforcement of Direction No. 89 (liquidation of older vehicles) pending further orders, following a recent Supreme Court decision on vehicle age coercion.
Reviewed Winter Action Plans submitted by Delhi and NCR States per a Supreme Court directive (17 Sept 2025).
Directed states to monitor stubble burning, optimize CRM (crop residue management) machines use, intensify IEC campaigns, and strengthen enforcement in border districts.
Ordered that open MSW (municipal solid waste) and biomass burning complaints be resolved within 24 hours during this period.
Noted a Supreme Court order (15 Oct 2025) permitting sale of green firecrackers (18–20 Oct) only in designated zones, banning sale from outside or via e-commerce, and restricting usage timings.
Directed CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards to monitor AQI and collect sand / water samples in sectors with heavy firecracker use from 14–25 Oct 2025.
These concerted steps reinforce seasonal pollution control measures in NCR, especially tackling stubble burning, vehicle emissions, firecrackers, and municipal burning. By legally empowering district authorities, simplifying grievance routes, and synchronizing with Supreme Court mandates, CAQM aims to make winter air pollution control more enforceable and reactive.
Relevant Question:
What lessons from NCR’s winter-action plan could inform similar seasonal air-quality frameworks in other Indian metros?
Follow the full news here:
Tougher Vehicle and Firecracker Controls Announced to Curb NCR’s Winter Smog