New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management reviewed a wide range of pollution control measures and ratified a revised Graded Response Action Plan at its 26th full Commission meeting held on December 22.

The meeting examined and adopted the Commission’s Annual Report for 2024–25 along with the audited annual accounts and the separate audit report, including the actionable points attached to the document.

A key decision was the ratification of the revised GRAP dated November 21, 2025, which was modified in line with directions of the Supreme Court. The Commission reviewed the updated framework to ensure that measures prescribed at higher GRAP stages automatically include actions from the preceding stages. It also assessed the implementation of GRAP during the ongoing season, covering steps taken under various stages and the need for additional measures under Stages I and II. These include uninterrupted power supply, traffic decongestion, public advisories and strengthening public transport services.

The Commission also ratified an office order dated December 10, 2025, constituting an expert committee to address air pollution from vehicular emissions. The committee, chaired by Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala of IIT Madras, has been tasked with assessing emissions, health impacts, clean mobility pathways, electric vehicle readiness and related regulatory measures.

Discussions were held on amending Direction No. 94 dated June 3, 2025, to speed up the transition to zero-emission vehicles by motor vehicle aggregators, delivery service providers and e-commerce companies. After considering stakeholder representations, the Commission proposed transitional provisions allowing induction of BS-VI petrol two-wheelers in existing fleets until December 31, 2026, while maintaining restrictions on adding conventional internal combustion engine vehicles in other specified categories from January 1, 2026.

The Commission reviewed the status of paddy stubble burning during 2025 and noted a sharp decline in incidents, with about a 92 percent overall reduction in the NCR compared to 2021. Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were directed to prepare state action plans for monitoring and enforcement related to wheat residue burning during the 2026 harvesting season, based on which statutory directions will be issued.

Enforcement actions by the Enforcement Task Force were also reviewed, including the closure and resumption of industrial units and the status of complaints and prosecution.

On construction and demolition waste, the Commission observed that dust from such activities continues to be a major contributor to PM10 and PM2.5 pollution in Delhi-NCR. It stressed the need for stricter compliance with dust control measures and stronger supervision by municipal bodies and development authorities. Authorities were asked to ensure the availability of collection points, storage and processing facilities for demolition waste, introduce verification mechanisms for waste disposal before granting construction permissions, and strengthen environmental management of C&D waste.

The issue of end-of-life vehicles was reviewed in the context of recent judicial directions. The Commission noted that following the Supreme Court order dated December 17, 2025, protection from coercive action continues for BS-IV and newer vehicles, while enforcement action against highly polluting BS-III and older vehicles has been permitted. Enforcement agencies were instructed to ensure strict compliance with the applicable orders.

The Commission underlined the need for sustained vigilance, coordinated enforcement and effective implementation of statutory directions across sectors, especially during the winter months, with implementing agencies committing to regular reviews and firm action under GRAP.

BI Bureau