Commission for Air Quality Management

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is a statutory body responsible for coordinating and directing action against air pollution affecting the National Capital Region. Established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021, its mandate covers better coordination, research, and the identification and resolution of air-quality problems across this region.

Territorial scope and purpose

The Commission addresses air pollution as a cross-boundary problem, rather than one confined to Delhi’s administrative limits.

• Its jurisdiction covers the National Capital Region and adjoining areas, with adjoining areas defined as areas in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh where pollution sources adversely affect air quality in the NCR.
• It coordinates the actions of the concerned state governments, pollution control authorities and other agencies to prevent, control and abate air pollution.
• Its mandate includes planning and executing programmes to prevent and control pollution, alongside research and technical support for air-quality management.

Statutory powers

Section 12 empowers the Commission to take measures necessary to protect and improve air quality and prevent, control and abate air pollution within its statutory scope.

• It can lay down air-quality parameters and standards for emissions or discharge of environmental pollutants from relevant sources.
• It can inspect premises, equipment and industrial processes, investigate pollution problems, and issue directions for their prevention and control.
• It can restrict operations, processes or industries in areas where their activities have implications for regional air quality.
• Its written directions can require closure, prohibition or regulation of an industry, operation or process, or the stoppage or regulation of electricity, water or other services.

Binding authority and accountability

The Commission is not merely an advisory institution: its statutory directions are binding on the persons, officers and authorities to whom they are issued.

• Where its orders or directions conflict with those of the concerned state governments, pollution control boards or other statutory authorities, the Commission’s orders or directions prevail.
• The Act provides penalties for contravention of its provisions and of orders or directions issued under it.
• Orders or directions of the Commission can be appealed before the National Green Tribunal, providing a statutory route for review.