Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
Why in news?
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas has urged states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Punjab to prepare action plans within three months to eliminate coal as fuel in industries located in non-NCR districts.
Key Facts
- CAQM submitted this note to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), extending its NCR coal ban (effective January 1, 2023, except thermal power plants) to nearby non-NCR areas.​
- In NCR, 7,449 of 7,759 fuel-based industries shifted to cleaner fuels like natural gas, electricity, biofuels, or biomass; 310 closed.​
- CAQM's mandate covers NCR (Delhi plus districts in Haryana, UP, Rajasthan) and adjoining pollution sources.​
Objectives and Significance
- Reduce air pollution from coal emissions affecting the shared NCR airshed.​
- Phase out coal completely in industrial operations beyond NCR, promoting cleaner alternatives.​
- Ensure compliance through state-submitted plans and enforcement.​
- Supports long-term measures like restricting new coal plants within 300 km of Delhi.​
- Aligns with expert recommendations for cleaner fuels amid NCR's annual 1.7 million tonnes coal use.​
About Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
- Chaired by an expert (currently Sh. Rajesh Verma), with full-time members, ex-officio representatives from states and ministries, technical experts, and NGO stakeholders.​
- CAQM is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021, to coordinate and manage air pollution in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.​
- It replaced the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) for more efficient, centralized oversight, with powers overriding other laws.​
- Implements Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stages based on AQI levels, with recent updates like revised GRAP in November 2025.​
- Restricts industries, probes violations, and levies fines up to ₹1 crore or imprisonment up to 5 years for non-compliance; cases go only to National Green Tribunal.​
- Issues advisories and directions, such as end-of-life vehicle liquidation and BS-VI vehicle entry bans into Delhi.​
Download Pdf
