From November 1, Delhi will ban entry of non-BS-VI vehicles registered outside the city. [Photo: IANS]
Starting November 1, commercial goods vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission norms will not be allowed to enter the national capital.
The Delhi government announced this measure in line with directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), aimed at tackling the city’s worsening air pollution ahead of winter.
The Delhi government has allowed BS-IV commercial vehicles to enter the city until October 31, 2026, as a transitional measure. However, from November 1, only BS-VI-compliant diesel vehicles will be permitted in Delhi.
There will be no restrictions on vehicles registered within Delhi that meet either BS-VI or BS-IV standards until 2026. Officials said the move is part of a larger plan to control vehicle emissions — one of the major contributors to Delhi’s poor air quality during the winter months.
Transporters have urged the government to reconsider the restrictions on BS-IV commercial vehicles. The All India Motor and Goods Transport Association is set to hold a meeting to discuss the next course of action. One of its members, Rajendra Kapoor, told PTI:
"The Supreme Court had given the orders. If we want the restrictions on the entry of BS-IV compliant vehicles not to be imposed even after the period of one year, we will have to approach the court. We will hold a meeting next week to decide what needs to be done."
Many transporters believe that immediate enforcement of the rule could hurt logistics and increase transportation costs.
BS-VI (Bharat Stage VI) is India’s strictest emission standard, equivalent to the Euro-6 norms used in Europe. BS-VI vehicles emit 80% less particulate matter and significantly fewer nitrogen oxides than BS-IV models. They also use cleaner fuels with lower sulphur content.
Manufacturers must include features like On-Board Diagnostics (OBD), Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF), and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems to meet these standards.
Experts say the move to ban older vehicles is necessary to cut vehicular pollution, which contributes to nearly 40% of Delhi’s overall air quality issues.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government may conduct its first cloud seeding trial tomorrow if weather conditions are favourable. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, "The flight will arrive in Delhi from Kanpur tomorrow. If the weather conditions are favourable, we may conduct the cloud seeding trial. However, everything depends on the weather."
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also shared an update on X, saying: "If conditions remain favourable, Delhi may witness its first artificial rain on October 29." This trial is part of Delhi’s broader anti-pollution strategy, combining technology and policy measures to improve air quality.
