An important decision has been made to combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR concerning light commercial vehicles. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has approved a ban on the registration of new light commercial vehicles running on petrol, diesel, and CNG.
During the 29th full meeting of CAQM, it was decided to gradually introduce restrictions on the new registration of light commercial vehicles in Delhi-NCR. The ban on registering new light commercial vehicles of category N1 running on diesel, petrol, and CNG will take effect from January 1, 2027. After this date, such vehicles using traditional fuels will be prohibited from registration in Delhi.
In the rest of the NCR, the rules will come into force later, specifically on January 1, 2028. In the initial phase in these areas, the restriction applies only to light commercial vehicles of category N1 running on diesel and petrol.
CAQM also decided on the phased introduction of rules for heavy light commercial vehicles belonging to category N2. For these vehicles, registration restrictions will be applied in different areas at different times: January 1, 2028, July 1, 2028, and January 1, 2029. This means that the rules will be implemented gradually across the entire NCR, rather than simultaneously in all regions.
The main reason cited by CAQM for making this decision is the PM2.5 emissions from vehicles. According to the commission's data, although light commercial vehicles constitute only 1.2% of the active fleet, they are responsible for approximately 3.3% of particulate matter emissions from the entire fleet. Thus, their contribution to pollution is relatively high despite their small numbers.
The CAQM's decision is part of a broader strategy to promote eco-friendly transport in Delhi-NCR. Amid constantly deteriorating air quality, the commission is gradually restricting the use of vehicles running on traditional fuels, encouraging the transport sector to switch to electric and other environmentally friendly options instead of petrol, diesel, or CNG.
Previously, CAQM had already directed aggregators and e-commerce companies to include only CNG or electric vehicles in their fleets starting from January 2026.