The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has constituted a high-level Expert Committee to develop a comprehensive roadmap for reducing air pollution caused by vehicular emissions in the Delhi-NCR region. Vehicular pollution continues to be a major contributor to deteriorating air quality, significantly increasing levels of PM2.5, nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), posing serious public health risks.
The newly formed committee brings together leading academicians, public health experts, automotive research institutions, and policy specialists to recommend evidence-based and multi-pronged strategies for emission reduction in the transport sector. The committee is chaired by Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala of IIT Madras, with Dr. Randeep Guleria, former Director of AIIMS Delhi, serving as Co-Chairperson. Other members include experts from IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, ARAI Pune, ICAT Manesar, NITI Aayog, CSE, TERI, ICCT, and representatives from the Ministries of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and Heavy Industries (MHI).
The committee will review existing clean mobility policies and regulatory frameworks, including Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms, electric mobility initiatives, and fuel-efficiency standards across Delhi-NCR. It will also assess segment-wise vehicular emission contributions, associated exposure risks, and recommend regulatory and technological interventions to curb pollution. A key focus area will be evaluating the technological readiness, infrastructure needs, cost implications, and incentive mechanisms required to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles across different vehicle segments.
In addition, the committee is empowered to recommend further measures for vehicular pollution abatement and may consult stakeholders or co-opt additional experts as required. The Expert Committee is expected to submit its recommendations within two months, with provisions for interim submissions. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled for December 15, 2025. According to CAQM, the initiative is a critical step toward advancing evidence-based policy actions aimed at improving air quality and safeguarding public health in the Delhi-NCR region.
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