Delhi Bans Entry of Old Vehicles Not Meeting BS-VI Norms
Delhi will prohibit the entry of vehicles registered outside the capital that do not follow BS-VI emission norms, with the ban set to begin on November 1. The step is aimed at controlling pollution during the winter season and will remain effective through January 31, 2027.
Estimates from the transport department suggest that Delhi-NCR has more than 10 lakh vehicles that do not meet BS-VI emission standards. The region includes Noida, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad.
The restrictions may have a significant impact on those who commute to the capital regularly from nearby cities for work, business or other reasons.
In Gurugram and Faridabad, about two lakh vehicles are non-compliant with BS-VI standards. Roughly 70 per cent of them belong to the BS-III and BS-IV categories. Additionally, nearly 50,000 commercial vehicles in these Haryana districts do not meet the prescribed emission levels.
In the Uttar Pradesh urban belt, the numbers are even higher. Noida and Greater Noida together record more than four lakh vehicles failing BS-VI norms. Over half are BS-IV vehicles, with petrol cars forming the biggest segment.
Ghaziabad also reportedly has close to four lakh vehicles that do not comply with BS-VI emission standards, according to a senior official. The data illustrates the challenge authorities face in restricting high-polluting vehicles from entering Delhi during winter.
The ban will not cover every vehicle included in these estimates. CNG and electric vehicles are exempted, as are ambulances, fire engines and vehicles deployed in certain critical services.
BS-VI compliant vehicles registered outside Delhi will continue to be allowed into the National Capital.
The rules will mainly apply to out-of-state vehicles that fail BS-VI norms. Vehicles registered within Delhi are not subject to this special provision, though other existing pollution control measures and age-related vehicle rules will remain in force.
As the restrictions approach, officials are gearing up to tighten monitoring and enforcement at entry points. The objective is to ensure that vehicles failing emission standards are stopped before entering the city.
The administration intends to use technology-based surveillance at border checkposts and other key spots to detect non-compliant vehicles. Artificial intelligence-based Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras will scan vehicle plates, enabling authorities to identify such vehicles and act against them.
Such a monitoring system is expected to be vital in spotting vehicles moving toward the capital from neighbouring areas, particularly on routes connecting Delhi with Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad, which see heavy traffic.
Besides surveillance technology, the administration is also making firm arrangements for physical inspections at entry points to ensure the rules are followed.