Older vehicles from outside Delhi to be kept out every winter, 1 November to 31 January

Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards will be kept out of the capital every year from 1 November to 31 January, the city’s worst months for air pollution, the Delhi government has said. The rule takes effect from this season.

Only BS-VI, CNG, LNG and electric vehicles registered in other States will be allowed in during these months. Police at the borders will turn back vehicles that do not qualify, and one report says violators can be fined up to ₹20,000.

Reports differ on how wide the ban is. The direction of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), as reported by the Press Trust of India and The Tribune, applies to commercial goods vehicles, light, medium and heavy, and buses of BS-IV standard or below. A limited exemption that let BS-IV goods vehicles enter ended on 31 October. Other reports describe a broader ban that would also cover private cars from neighbouring towns. Commuters from Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad should check the official order before driving an older vehicle into the city.

Why it matters

Vehicles are one of the biggest local sources of Delhi’s winter smog, and old diesel trucks are among the worst polluters. BS-VI standards, in force across India since April 2020, cut the permitted particulate emissions of diesel cars by more than 80% and nitrogen oxides by about two-thirds compared with BS-IV.

Unlike the emergency curbs of the Graded Response Action Plan, which apply only once the air has already turned “very poor” or worse, this ban will apply for the whole season every year, so transporters and commuters know in advance.