New Delhi, November 1, 2025 — In a major step to combat the worsening air pollution crisis, Delhi today strictly enforced a ban on the entry of all commercial goods vehicles registered outside the National Capital Territory (NCT) that are not compliant with the Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission standards.
The move, directed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), comes as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories, heralding the onset of the severe winter smog season.
Key Details of the Vehicle Ban:
- Vehicles Affected: The restriction applies to non-Delhi registered Light, Medium, and Heavy Goods Vehicles (LGVs, MGVs, and HGVs) that are below BS-VI emission norms. Officials estimate that between 50,000 to 70,000 vehicles from surrounding regions will be affected.
- Enforcement: 23 enforcement teams from the Delhi Transport Department and Traffic Police have been deployed at major entry points, including Kundli, Tikri, and Kalindi Kunj, to turn back non-compliant vehicles.
- Exemptions:
- Commercial goods vehicles registered in Delhi are still permitted to operate.
- Vehicles running on CNG, LNG, or electricity are fully exempt.
- Non-Delhi registered BS-IV compliant vehicles will be granted a transitional period and are allowed entry only until October 31, 2026.
The CAQM emphasized that the decision is part of its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) strategy to curb vehicular emissions, which are a major contributor to the capital’s toxic air, particularly during the months when adverse weather conditions trap pollutants.
