Starting November 1, commercial goods vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet the BS-VI emission standards will be prohibited from entering the national Capital.
The decision follows directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) aimed at tackling vehicular pollution in the city. BS-VI compliant vehicles meet stricter emission standards, contributing towards curtailing pollution.
The transport department, in a public notice, stated that BS-IV compliant goods vehicles would be allowed entry into Delhi only up to October 31, 2026, as a transitional arrangement.
The move is part of a phased plan to shift fully to cleaner vehicles that meet stricter emission norms. As per the notification, there will be no entry restrictions on commercial goods vehicles that are registered in Delhi, BS-VI compliant diesel vehicles, or those using CNG, LNG, or electricity. BS-IV diesel vehicles will continue to operate within the city until October 31, 2026.
The notice added that restrictions under various stages of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on commercial goods vehicles will continue to apply during the period a particular stage is in force.
In a meeting held on October 17, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) approved a sweeping ban on the entry of polluting commercial vehicles into Delhi from November 1, amid the city’s pollution woes. Transporters hoped that the Government might extend the relaxation on the entry of BS-IV-compliant vehicles in Delhi. Bhim Wadhawa of the All-India Motor Transport Congress said there is a time of one year for them during which BS-IV compliant vehicles will be allowed entry. Rajendra Kapoor of the All-India Motor and Goods Transport Association said 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,” he added.