CAQM orders phased shift to cleaner light goods vehicles in Delhi-NCR
The Commission for Air Quality Management, at its 29th full meeting on 18 August 2026, approved Direction No. 102 for phased restrictions on registering diesel, petrol and CNG light goods vehicles in Delhi-NCR from 2027.
Summary
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) held its 29th full commission meeting on 18 August 2026 under chairman Rajesh Verma. It approved Direction No. 102, which phases in restrictions on new registration of diesel, petrol and CNG N1 light goods vehicles (LGVs): from 1 January 2027 in Delhi and from 1 July 2027 in the high vehicle density districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. LGVs make up only about 1.2% of active vehicles but about 3.3% of fleet particulate emissions. Direction No. 103 tightens dust control at stone crushing units by adding CPCB guideline measures to their consent-to-operate conditions.
Key facts
- Meeting
- 29th full CAQM meeting, 18 August 2026
- Chair
- Rajesh Verma
- Direction No. 102
- Phased curbs on new diesel/petrol/CNG N1 LGV registrations
- Delhi start
- 1 January 2027
- HVD districts start
- 1 July 2027 (Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, GB Nagar)
- Why
- LGVs ~1.2% of vehicles but ~3.3% of PM emissions
Practice MCQs 2 questions
What does CAQM's Direction No. 102, approved on 18 August 2026, deal with?
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Correct answer: B — Phased shift to cleaner light goods vehicles in Delhi-NCR
Direction No. 102 mandates phased restrictions on new registration of diesel, petrol and CNG N1 light goods vehicles in Delhi-NCR; Direction No. 103 covers stone crushers.
Consider the following statements about CAQM's Direction No. 102: 1. Light goods vehicles form about 1.2% of the active vehicle stock but contribute about 3.3% of particulate emissions from the fleet. 2. Registration restrictions on diesel, petrol and CNG N1 LGVs begin in Delhi from 1 January 2027. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. In the high vehicle density NCR districts the restrictions start from 1 July 2027.