Non-BS-VI Vehicles To Face Entry Restrictions In Delhi From November 1

Ahead of winter and worsening pollution, Delhi is set to introduce a series of measures from November aimed at curbing emissions and reducing private vehicle use. The package includes restrictions on older vehicles entering the capital, higher parking charges, tighter controls on construction and demolition, staggered office timings and stronger enforcement of pollution-related rules. Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards will be prohibited from entering the national capital from November 1, PTI reported. 

Electric vehicles will, however, be exempt from the additional parking charges being introduced as part of the winter measures.

BS emission standards define the limits for pollutants emitted by vehicles, with BS-VI representing the most stringent standard currently specified in the series.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa was quoted as saying the government would publicise the vehicle-entry restriction in advance. He also said CNG vehicles would not be covered by the separate BS-IV restriction. The government has not specified an end date for the entry restriction.

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Parking Charges To Rise From November 1

Parking charges at authorised parking sites will be doubled between November 1 and February 28 as the government seeks to discourage private vehicle use during the winter pollution period. Electric vehicles will be exempt from the additional charges. Parking facilities owned and managed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will not be covered by the increase.

Transport is among the major contributors to PM2.5 emissions in Delhi, according to the Decision Support System of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). Its contribution can rise to 20 per cent or more during winter.

Construction And Demolition Curbs Tightened

Dust-generating demolition work and outdoor civil construction activities at construction sites will be prohibited from November 1 to December 10. From December 10 to January 20, the restrictions will become more stringent, with a complete ban on construction and demolition activity, including indoor work, officials said.

The measures were discussed at an action-based planning meeting on pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma and Sirsa also attended the meeting.

The Delhi government has registered 723 construction sites on its monitoring system. Pollution-control measures at these sites are being tracked through an AI-enabled automated system. Sirsa said violations had been reported at less than 2-3 per cent of the sites.

According to a government presentation, web cameras have been installed at 600 of the 723 registered construction sites. The government is targeting 100 per cent camera coverage of sites registered on the construction and demolition portal by the end of October.

Offices To Stagger Timings From November

Office timings will also be staggered between November 1 and February 28. MCD offices will operate from 8:30 am to 5 pm, while Delhi government offices will function from 10 am to 6:30 pm. Government and private offices will also reduce their physical workforce by 50 per cent, with half of their employees working from home, the government said.

Enforcement of the "No PUC, No Fuel" rule will be stepped up in what Sirsa described as a "mission-mode campaign." The government plans to conduct strict enforcement at all 500 petrol pumps in Delhi equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems.

A public awareness campaign is planned for October, while pollution-under-control (PUC) centres will be upgraded in November.

ELV Enforcement To Use ANPR Systems

Enforcement against end-of-life (ELV) vehicles will also be strengthened through ANPR-based systems. The government will additionally check the functioning of ANPR cameras.

Around 2.5 lakh vehicles are expected to undergo fitness checks through three automated testing stations. The three facilities currently have a combined annual capacity to test 2.44 lakh commercial vehicles. The measures are part of the broader effort to limit vehicle emissions and improve enforcement during Delhi's winter pollution period.

Higher Public Transport Ridership

The government is also seeking to increase public transport use. Delhi currently has 5,088 electric buses, with another 150 buses set to be added to the fleet. The city's total bus fleet has reached 6,840 buses. Last-mile connectivity is available at all 228 Delhi Metro stations, according to the government.

The government has set a target of increasing average daily Delhi Metro ridership from 65 lakh to 72 lakh. It also aims to raise Delhi Transport Corporation ridership from 37 lakh to 42 lakh. The measures will take effect in phases from November, with restrictions covering vehicles, construction activity, parking and office operations forming the core of the winter pollution response.