Delhi pollution curbs will tighten from November 1, with the Delhi Traffic Police set to enforce revised Graded Response Action Plan rules that restrict the entry of non-compliant vehicles, buses and commercial goods vehicles at the capital’s borders. The measures will remain in force until at least January 31, 2027, unless exemptions are notified.
The Commission for Air Quality Management had invoked Stage I of GRAP on October 21 after Delhi’s air quality moved into the ‘Poor’ category. The city’s Air Quality Index rose from 179, classified as ‘Moderate’, on October 20 to 244, classified as ‘Poor’, at 2 pm on October 21, according to the CAQM. Forecasts indicated that poor air quality was likely to continue in the following days.
Under the new vehicle-entry rules, petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards will be barred from entering the capital during the winter restriction period. Electric and CNG vehicles are exempt from this restriction. Vehicles entering Delhi will also need valid Pollution Under Control certificates and relevant permit documents, either in physical form or updated on DigiLocker.
Commercial goods vehicles registered outside Delhi that are not BS-VI compliant will not be allowed to enter. Buses entering Delhi under tourist, contract carriage and other permit categories must run on BS-VI diesel, CNG or electricity. Trucks travelling to destinations beyond Delhi will be required to use peripheral expressways instead of passing through the capital.
Delhi-registered commercial goods vehicles are exempt from this particular entry restriction. Goods vehicles operating on BS-VI diesel, CNG, liquefied natural gas or electricity are also allowed, as are Delhi-registered buses. However, separate stage-wise restrictions on goods vehicles will continue to apply whenever a higher GRAP stage is imposed.
Border enforcement will use automatic number plate recognition and radio-frequency identification systems. The revised framework also places greater emphasis on forecasts, allowing restrictions to be imposed before the actual AQI reaches a specified threshold when models indicate that the projected level is likely to persist. The CAQM notification says action may also be taken immediately if extreme meteorological conditions or an episodic event causes the AQI to breach a threshold unexpectedly.
GRAP operates through four stages. Stage I applies when the AQI is between 201 and 300, Stage II when it reaches 301 to 400, Stage III between 401 and 450, and Stage IV above 450. Measures introduced at an earlier stage remain in force when a stricter stage is activated.
The September revision moved certain restrictions on older interstate buses from Stage II to Stage I, allowing them to be applied earlier. It also extended Stage III restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light vehicles to Sonipat in Haryana, removed an exemption for some goods vehicles carrying essential commodities under Stages III and IV, and widened restrictions covering construction and demolition activities.
Stage I measures already require tighter action on dust, construction and demolition, waste management, diesel generator sets, public transport, industrial emissions and the use of coal and firewood in tandoors. The GRAP sub-committee is expected to meet frequently, review air-quality forecasts supplied by the India Meteorological Department and assess whether agencies are enforcing the measures. Chief secretaries of Delhi and the National Capital Region states will also review implementation.
