New Delhi, Dec 22 (NationPress) The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) overseeing the NCR and surrounding regions has mandated enforcement agencies to implement strict measures against End-of-Life (EoL) and BS-III vehicles that do not meet current emission standards, as reported by an official.

The Commission has also approved the integration of BS-VI petrol two-wheelers into the existing fleets of delivery service providers and e-commerce companies until December 31, 2026, as stated in an announcement.

During a meeting led by Rajesh Verma, Chairperson of CAQM, it was reiterated that the induction of traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, including petrol and diesel units, will be prohibited for specified stakeholders beginning January 1, 2026. This is part of a larger initiative to promote the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Regarding the enforcement of actions against EoL polluting vehicles, the Commission remarked, "Following the Supreme Court ruling dated December 17, 2025, protections against such actions remain for BS-IV and newer vehicles, but actions against the highly polluting BS-III and older vehicles are now allowed. Enforcement agencies are tasked with ensuring adherence to relevant directives."

In its assessment of paddy stubble burning incidents in 2025, the Commission noted a remarkable decline attributed to enhanced monitoring and enforcement strategies, achieving about a 92% reduction in NCR compared to 2021.

"Additionally, states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been directed to formulate State Action Plans to monitor and enforce regulations against wheat residue burning for the 2026 harvest season, which will lead to the issuance of statutory directives," the CAQM statement mentioned.

The CAQM also evaluated the enforcement actions taken, including the status of industrial unit closures and resumptions by the Enforcement Task Force (ETF), along with the progress on complaints and prosecutions.

"The Commission emphasized the importance of persistent vigilance, coordinated enforcement, and effective implementation of statutory directions across all sectors, especially during winter," the statement concluded.

At the conclusion of the meeting, all agencies involved pledged to continuously review measures aimed at controlling air pollution and to take decisive action across various sectors, including under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).