A layer of smog is seen over the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. File | Photo credit: Th Hindu
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (Jan 21, 2026) directed the Delhi government and other authorities to submit plans to implement long-term measures recommended by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to combat sources of air pollution in the capital, foremost of which is vehicular emissions.
Additional Solicitor General for CAQM Aishwarya Bhati, appearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, said the measures include phasing out polluting vehicles from Delhi-NCR, strengthening the pollution control regime, expanding rail and metro transport models, revised electric vehicle policy, etc.
Ms Bhati said a meta-analysis of studies from 2015 to 2025 attributed PM2.5 in Delhi to a mix of primary emissions and secondary particulate matter from sources in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Among the measures proposed by CAQM are the development of multi-modal transport hubs connecting metros, regional rapid transit system (RRTS), last mile connectivity with real-time passenger information system, higher incentives for owners to scrap their old vehicles, expansion of EV charging infrastructure, etc.
Published – 21 Jan 2026 22:44 IST
