How can Delhi curb vehicular emissions? CAQM sets up panel to find answers
Vehicular emissions identified as major contributor to particulate matter pollutants. The committee has to submit its recommendations within two months.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas – the Union government’s top pollution watchdog for Delhi-NCR – on Friday set up an expert committee to develop strategies to curb air pollution caused by vehicular emissions in the region. The committee has to submit its recommendations within two months.
The CAQM has identified vehicular emissions to be a major contributor to particulate matter pollutants – mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air – as well as gaseous pollutants like volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.
The 15-member committee includes top academicians, health specialists, automotive research institutions and other experts in the field. In a statement, CAQM said the experts will “recommend a robust, multi-pronged roadmap for emission reduction in the vehicular sector”.
The committee will be chaired by IIT Madras Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala, while Dr Randeep Guleria, former director at AIIMS Delhi, will be the co-chairperson.
Other members will include IIT Kanpur Prof Mukesh Sharma; IIT Delhi Prof Sagnik Dey; a representative each from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of India and Ministry of Heavy Industries, both not below the rank of joint secretary; Automotive Research Association of India Director Dr Reji Mathai; International Centre for Automotive Technology Director Saurabh Dalela; Council on Energy, Environment and Water CEO Dr Arunabha Ghosh; Centre for Science and Environment Executive Director Anumita Roychowdhury; ICCT Managing Director Amit Bhatt and TERI Associate Director Dr Anju Goel. Dr Virender Sharma, member (Technical) at CAQM, will act as the convener.
The committee has been tasked to review policies, programmes and regulatory frameworks related to clean mobility. According to CAQM, the committee will review existing mechanisms around “BS norms, electricity mobility initiatives and fuel efficiency standards across Delhi-NCR”, assess segment-wise contributions of vehicular emissions and related exposure risks and also recommend regulatory measures for the reduction of vehicular emissions.
Further, the members have to “examine technological readiness, infrastructural requirements, cost implications and incentive plans for an accelerated electric vehicle transition across vehicle segments”. It can also recommend any additional measure to control vehicular emissions. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled for December 15.
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“The constitution of this expert committee will advance evidence-based policy action for improving air quality and safeguarding public health in Delhi-NCR,” the CAQM said.
AQI likely to turn ‘severe’ over weekend
Delhi’s air quality hovered in the ‘Very Poor’ category on Friday, with experts predicting a further spike that could push the city’s air into the ‘Severe’ zone over the weekend.
The 24-hour average AQI at 4 pm stood at 349, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As per Air Quality Early Warning System, the AQI is likely to remain ‘Very Poor’ on Saturday and turn ‘Severe’ on Sunday.
The Decision Support System (DSS) for Delhi’s Air Quality Management estimated transport as the biggest contributor to air pollution in the Capital on Friday at 16.5%.
On the weather front, the maximum temperature on Friday settled at 26.6 degrees Celsius, 3.6 notches above normal, while the minimum was 8 degrees Celsius, 0.6 notch below normal, the IMD said.
The IMD forecast moderate fog on Saturday with a minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 23 degrees Celsius.
Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai.
Professional Background
Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education.
Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses:
1. The Air Pollution Crisis
"A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure.
"Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR.
"Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter.
2. Enforcement & Regulations
"No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy.
3. Education Policy
"Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025.
"Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation.
Signature Style
Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhi’s environmental laws.
X (Twitter): @SophiyaMathew1 ... Read More
