In a significant move to tackle Delhi’s severe air pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced a ban on the entry of all commercial goods vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-IV emission standards. This regulation came into effect on Saturday, November 1st.
This decision is a crucial part of the ongoing efforts to curb vehicular emissions, which are a major contributor to the city’s deteriorating air quality, especially during the winter months.
Understanding Bharat Stage (BS) Standards: BS standards are government-mandated emission regulations for vehicles in India, designed to control pollution. With each new iteration, like the current BS-VI (or BS-6), the standards for pollutants emitted by engines become stricter.
Which Vehicles Are Affected?
The ban specifically targets Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs), Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs), and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) that are registered outside Delhi and do not comply with BS-IV standards. These vehicles will no longer be permitted entry into the capital.
The directive allows BS-IV compliant commercial goods vehicles to enter Delhi until October 31, 2026.
Enforcement Measures:
To ensure compliance, the Transport Department and Traffic Police have established 23 enforcement teams. These teams will be stationed at crucial entry points, which account for approximately 90% of vehicle traffic into Delhi. Key locations include the Kundli, Rajokri, Tikri, Aya Nagar, and Kalindi Kunj borders, among others. Each team will be led by an inspector-level officer, and vehicles failing to meet the norms will be turned back.
It is estimated that between 50,000 and 70,000 vehicles in the region currently do not meet the BS-IV standards.
Exemptions and Allowed Vehicles:
The CAQM order clarifies that there are no entry restrictions for commercial goods vehicles registered within Delhi. Furthermore, vehicles running on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), or electricity are exempt from these restrictions.
Additionally, all BS-VI compliant petrol and diesel vehicles can continue to enter Delhi without any restrictions throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality has seen minor improvements but remains in the ‘poor’ category. As of Friday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 268 by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).