Delhi Bans Entry of Old Cars To Curb Pollution

With the level of pollution on the rise, the National Capital Region (NCR) has been rated the most polluted city in the world by Swiss Group IQAir. Recently, the NCR recorded an average air quality index (AQI) of 401, categorised as ‘Severe+’ air quality. To battle this rising pollution, the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR has adopted stages III and IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). 

While Stage III of GRAP was implemented a couple of days ago, Stage IV has been implemented from Monday, November 6, 2023. Under Stage III, the CAQM has restricted the use of petrol cars complying with Bharat Stage (BS) III emissions norms and diesel cars complying with BS IV emission standards in the NCR. Any vehicles found flouting the restrictions will prosecuted under Section 194(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1998 and will be fined ₹20,000. NCR includes Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar districts.

Under Stage IV, CAQM has restricted the entry of all trucks in the National Capital Territory (NCT), i.e. New Delhi, except for trucks powered by liquified nitrogen gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric trucks. Furthermore, CAQM has also said smaller trucks or light commercial vehicles (LCVs) registered outside NCT will not be allowed to enter NCT unless they carry essential items except electric, CNG or BS IV diesel trucks. Medium goods vehicles (MGVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) running on diesel will not be allowed in NCT.