Delhi Pollution: What vehicles are allowed, bans, controls and challenges explained

Delhi Pollution: What vehicles are allowed, bans, controls and challenges explained

Deteriorating air quality in Delhi has forced authorities to tighten restrictions on vehicles, leading to strict bans, increased inspections and heavy fines. Among the measures implemented is cracking down on violations of pollution under control (PUC) regulations, under which over 2.7 lakh notices have been issued this year alone. This is the highest number of PUC-related fines in three years. In October, during concentrated driving at key junctions such as ITO Chowk, Peeragarhi and Ashram Chowk, over 47,000 drivers were fined Rs 10,000 each for not having valid PUC certificates.

Delhi Pollution: Banned vehicles

Enforcement of Stage IV of the Graduated Response Action Plan (GRAP) led to further escalation of restrictions. BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles are currently banned from plying in the city. Violators can face a fine of up to Rs 20,000 under Section 194(1). 1 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, BS-III or older diesel medium trucks registered in Delhi are prohibited unless they are carrying essential goods. Similarly, diesel light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi are banned from entering unless they are carrying essential items. The restrictions also apply to inter-state buses from NCR states that do not meet BS-VI diesel norms, except for buses with All-India Tourist Permit.

Delhi Pollution: Vehicle bans and confiscation

In addition to these prohibitions, Delhi Transport Department in the period from October 1 to November 15, it confiscated 2,234 oversized vehicles. This includes 260 diesel vehicles over 10 years of age and 1,974 petrol vehicles such as two-wheelers and smaller four-wheelers that are over the 15-year age limit. These actions are part of a broader initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, which continue to be a major contributor to the city’s pollution crisis.
The number of traffic violations in Delhi has increased with over 4,55,000 fines issued and nine lakh challans issued for various offenses this year. Authorities attribute this increase to stricter enforcement measures aimed at discouraging non-compliance with environmental and road traffic regulations.

Delhi Pollution: Is Your Vehicle Safe?

Despite the bans, CNG and electric vehicles remain unaffected, while diesel vehicles less than 10 years old and petrol vehicles less than 15 years old are still allowed on the roads, provided they meet the permissible Bharat-Stage emission norms.