Delhi air pollution: CAQM directs strict ban on some commercial goods vehicles from Nov 1—which categories are affected?

The Commission for Air Quality Management has directed a ban on all commercial goods vehicles registered outside Delhi and not compliant with BS-VI norms, which will be prohibited from entering the national capital from November 1, ANI reported.

Vehicles compliant with BS-VI norms must follow stricter emissions standards equivalent to the European Union's Euro-6 standards, which are expected to reduce air pollution.

A notice from the transport department said that BS-IV commercial goods vehicles will be allowed to enter Delhi until October 31, 2026, as a temporary transition step, PTI reported.

Until October 31, 2026, there will be no restrictions on the entry of commercial goods vehicles registered in Delhi, BS-VI compliant diesel vehicles, BS-IV compliant diesel vehicles, or those running on CNG, LNG, or electricity.

The notice further stated that restrictions on commercial goods vehicles imposed by various stages of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will continue to apply according to the particular stage that is in force.

On October 17, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) approved a comprehensive ban on polluting commercial vehicles entering Delhi starting November 1, as a measure to address the city's pollution problems.

However, transporters were hoping the government would extend the easing of restrictions on the entry of BS-IV compliant vehicles into Delhi.

Bhim Wadhawa from the All India Motor Transport Congress told PTI that there is a one-year period during which BS-IV compliant vehicles will be permitted entry.

Meanwhile, Rajendra Kapoor from the All India Motor and Goods Transport Association mentioned that they will hold a meeting to discuss the next course of action.

“The Supreme Court had given the orders. If we want the restrictions on 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,” Kapoor told the news portal.

Delhi air pollution woes

Delhi witnessed a hazy morning with cloudy skies on Tuesday, October 28. The capital's air quality remained in the 'very poor' category at 304, CPCB data showed.

As per CPCB, an AQI from 0 to 50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.

CPCB data showed that on Monday, Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 301 at 4 p.m.

The Sameer app created by the CPCB showed that 27 out of 38 monitoring stations in Delhi recorded 'very poor' air quality, with readings surpassing 300.

(With inputs from agencies.)

(With inputs from agencies.)