Delhi traffic police will deploy joint enforcement teams at the capital’s borders and divert non-compliant interstate buses before they enter the city as authorities prepare tighter measures to control air pollution. The plan also includes stricter checks on vehicles registered outside Delhi, action against overloaded and misrouted vehicles, and a WhatsApp group to improve coordination between enforcement agencies.
The measures were discussed at a meeting held on Thursday between Delhi traffic police, police forces in neighbouring states and other concerned agencies. The meeting focused on implementing the directions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), according to the report by Live Hindustan – NCR.
Deputy Commissioner of Police S K Singh said the meeting was intended to discuss all effective steps to curb pollution. Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ajay Chaudhary, who chaired the meeting, directed officials to prevent interstate and intercity buses that do not meet the applicable requirements from entering Delhi.
Under the stated conditions, only electric, compressed natural gas and BS-VI diesel buses will be allowed to enter the capital. Buses that do not comply will be sent towards alternative routes from the border itself, rather than being diverted after entering Delhi. Officials said diverting such vehicles inside the city can add to traffic congestion and increase emissions.
The traffic police will also enforce restrictions applicable to vehicles registered outside Delhi between 1 November and 31 January. Vehicles covered by notified exemptions will continue to receive relief under the applicable rules. Signboards will be installed at Delhi’s borders to clearly inform drivers that restricted vehicles cannot enter the capital.
Joint teams comprising different agencies will inspect vehicles at the borders and monitor compliance with no-entry timings. Action will also be taken against vehicles travelling on routes other than their designated destinations and against overloaded vehicles. The plan further covers vehicles carrying material from construction and demolition activity in violation of prescribed standards.
Municipal bodies have been asked to accelerate construction-related work while taking measures to prevent dust emissions. They have also been instructed to undertake regular water sprinkling on roads and at construction sites. The traffic police has appealed to vehicle owners to keep valid pollution-under-control certificates wherever required.
The enforcement plan comes as Delhi is expected to see limited improvement in air quality over the next two to three days. The report said stubble burning could account for up to 15% of the city’s pollution. It also cited a study published in the journal Environmental Pollution by researchers from Jamia, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the Central Pollution Control Board, which found that unfavourable atmospheric conditions could allow pollution levels to remain concentrated over the capital for five consecutive days, with temperature identified as the most influential factor.
The proposed inter-agency WhatsApp group will be used to share directions and updates on enforcement action in real time and support monitoring of compliance. The border checks, bus diversions, vehicle inspections and dust-control measures are the next steps outlined by the authorities for implementing the current pollution-control directions.
