Context:
• In a major anti-pollution measure, the Delhi government and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) have enforced a ban on non-BS-VI commercial goods vehicles from November 1, 2025, to curb worsening vehicular emissions in the National Capital Region (NCR).
• The move comes as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and broader efforts to achieve sustainable air quality improvement during the winter pollution season.
Key Highlights:
- Policy Announcement and Implementation
- Effective November 1, 2025, non-BS-VI diesel commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi are prohibited from entering the city.
- The order applies to all light, medium, and heavy goods vehicles (LGVs, MGVs, HGVs) transporting goods into the capital.
- CNG, LNG, and Electric Vehicles (EVs) are exempted from the ban to encourage clean fuel adoption.
- BS-IV diesel goods vehicles will continue to be allowed until October 31, 2026, as a transitional relief measure.
- CAQM’s Amendment and Scope
- The CAQM issued an amendment under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, targeting vehicular pollution from inter-state goods carriers entering Delhi.
- The rule distinguishes vehicles based on emission compliance rather than fuel type or age.
- Delhi-registered BS-III vehicles and BS-VI diesel vehicles are permitted to operate within city limits under regulated conditions.
- Rationale Behind the Ban
- Vehicular emissions contribute nearly 40% of Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration during the winter months.
- Out-of-state diesel trucks are major contributors to nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions.
- The restriction aims to complement ongoing measures such as cloud seeding, odd-even traffic rules, and enhanced PUC checks.
- Supporting Measures
- Expansion of electronic tolling (FASTag-linked monitoring) to detect and restrict banned vehicles at Delhi borders.
- Increased deployment of traffic enforcement cameras and pollution check teams across entry points.
- Encouragement of logistics operators to transition to CNG, LNG, or electric fleets through incentives under FAME II and Delhi EV Policy 2020.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management):
- Established in 2020 under the Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act.
- Responsible for policy coordination, monitoring, and enforcement to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Significance:
- Reinforces India’s commitment to clean air and vehicular decarbonization.
- Encourages shift toward alternative fuels and electric mobility.
- Strengthens federal cooperation between CAQM, state transport authorities, and logistics operators.
- Challenges:
- Enforcement hurdles at Delhi’s 13 border points and possibility of compliance evasion.
- Impact on small transport operators reliant on older vehicles.
- Need for adequate EV infrastructure and CNG station capacity to support transition.