Pollution Control / Delhi tightens pollution net, non-BS-VI vehicles face entry ban from November 1

New Delhi, Oct 29: As Delhi braces for another winter of hazardous air pollution, lakhs of vehicle owners across the National Capital Region are set to face tighter travel restrictions, with authorities barring the entry of non-BS VI vehicles registered outside the capital from November 1.

The three-month measure, aimed at reducing emissions during the peak smog season, is expected to impact daily commuters from neighbouring NCR cities while forming a key part of Delhi's strategy to curb worsening air quality.

The move is expected to impact a large number of commuters travelling daily from neighbouring cities such as Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad for work, business and other purposes.

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According to estimates by the transport department, more than 10 lakh vehicles across the Delhi-NCR region do not meet BS-VI emission standards and could potentially come under the scanner.

Haryana's Gurugram and Faridabad together account for nearly two lakh non-compliant vehicles. Of these, around 70 per cent belong to the older BS-III and BS-IV categories. The two districts also have an estimated 50,000 commercial vehicles that fall short of the prescribed emission norms.

The challenge is even more significant in Uttar Pradesh's NCR cities. Noida and Greater Noida together have over four lakh vehicles that do not conform to BS-VI standards, with BS-IV vehicles constituting a major portion of the total.

Petrol-powered cars account for a substantial share of these vehicles. Ghaziabad alone has another four lakh vehicles that do not meet the latest emission requirements, underscoring the scale of enforcement required once the restrictions take effect.

However, not all vehicles falling outside BS-VI norms will be prohibited from entering the capital. The restrictions will exempt CNG-powered and electric vehicles, along with ambulances, fire tenders and certain vehicles engaged in essential services.

Vehicles registered outside Delhi that comply with BS-VI standards will continue to be allowed entry.

Notably, the measure specifically targets non-BS-VI vehicles registered outside Delhi. Vehicles registered within the national capital will not be covered under this particular restriction, though existing regulations related to vehicle age and pollution control will continue to remain in force.

To ensure effective implementation, authorities are stepping up surveillance and enforcement at key entry points into the city. Advanced technology will play a central role in monitoring vehicle movement.

Artificial Intelligence-enabled Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be deployed to scan registration plates and identify potentially non-compliant vehicles approaching Delhi.

Officials are also strengthening physical verification mechanisms at border checkpoints and high-traffic corridors linking Delhi with neighbouring NCR cities.

(IANS)