The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has extended the 'No PUC, No Fuel' policy to the entire National Capital Region (NCR) starting October 1, 2026. According to the latest CAQM directive, fuel stations across Delhi and its surrounding districts in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan will be prohibited from dispensing petrol or diesel to any vehicle lacking a valid Pollution Under Control certificate. This regional rollout utilizes technology-driven tools including automatic number plate recognition systems to identify violators in real time, ensuring comprehensive enforcement across the NCR region. The move could significantly impact thousands of auto drivers, daily commuters, and the future of transport in the capital region.
The Commission for Air Quality Management has announced a comprehensive transition to electric mobility in the National Capital Region. According to reports from the commission, Delhi will become the first city to enforce the electric 3-wheeler rule starting January 1, 2027. The mandate will then extend to NCR's high-density districts, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar from January 1, 2028. All remaining NCR districts will be covered by January 1, 2029. Under the new framework, only electric 3-wheelers in the L5 category will be permitted for fresh registration. This phased approach represents a major shift in public transport toward cleaner air and stronger push toward sustainable mobility across the NCR region.
To address emissions from the agricultural sector, the CAQM has issued a directive for states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh calling for total elimination of stubble-burning episodes before the end of 2026. As reported by CAQM, micro-level monitoring systems have been deployed to observe real-time occurrence of farm fires to ensure compliance with the directive. This agricultural reform represents a significant component of the commission's three-pillar approach to improving air quality across the NCR region.
The CAQM's latest directive establishes a phased approach to electric vehicle adoption across the NCR region, with the electric 3-wheeler mandate implemented in phases starting with Delhi in 2027, followed by high-density districts in 2028, and finally covering all remaining districts by 2029. The fuel ban for non-PUC vehicles from October 2026 serves as an immediate enforcement mechanism, while the ban on new CNG autos from 2027 represents the third pillar of the commission's reforms. These wide-ranging policy reforms target motor vehicles, farmers, and automotive manufacturers across the entire NCR region to ensure sustainable improvement in air quality levels.
