Delhi pollution fight intensifies with vehicle checks, farm fire curbs

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has intensified its crackdown on sources of air pollution across Delhi and its neighbouring states as winter approaches, rolling out measures targeting vehicular emissions and stubble burning from agricultural areas.

The regulatory action includes stepped-up inspections of commercial vehicles, particularly diesel-powered autos and older models that exceed emission standards. Officials have begun enforcement of Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate requirements, with penalties for vehicles failing to comply with emission norms. The focus on diesel vehicles reflects their significant contribution to the capital's winter pollution crisis, which regularly sees air quality index readings in hazardous ranges.

Simultaneously, CAQM has reviewed preparedness across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to tackle crop residue burning, a major seasonal contributor to Delhi's smog. State authorities are being monitored for implementation of restrictions on stubble burning and promotion of alternative farm waste management practices.

The coordinated enforcement comes as meteorological conditions during winter months—characterized by slower wind speeds and temperature inversions—trap pollutants in the atmosphere. Officials warn that without sustained action across multiple sectors, the capital's air quality could deteriorate significantly in the coming weeks.

Experienced severe pollution episodes over the past several years have prompted increasingly aggressive intervention during the winter season, with regulatory agencies expanding both enforcement and preventive measures across the National Capital Region.