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From Saturday, November 1, all non-Delhi-registered commercial goods vehicles that do not meet Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission standards have been barred from entering the national capital. The move, announced by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas, is part of a wider push to reduce vehicular emissions that contribute heavily to Delhi’s toxic winter air.
According to the CAQM’s amended direction issued on October 17, Light, Medium, and Heavy Goods Vehicles (LGVs, MGVs, HGVs) not compliant with BS-VI standards will be strictly prohibited from entering Delhi. However, as a temporary measure, BS-IV-compliant commercial vehicles will be allowed entry until October 31, 2026.
While the order enforces a full ban on non-BS-VI vehicles from outside Delhi, the CAQM has provided a transitional window. Non-Delhi-registered BS-IV compliant commercial goods vehicles are permitted to enter Delhi until October 31, 2026. This extension, the Commission said, will help transporters adapt their fleets to the latest emission standards without disrupting essential supply chains.
There are no restrictions for vehicles registered in Delhi or those running on CNG, LNG, or electricity, as well as for BS-VI-compliant petrol and diesel vehicles, which can operate freely throughout the year.
To ensure enforcement, the Delhi Transport Department and Traffic Police have jointly deployed 23 enforcement teams across key entry points into the city. These include Kundli, Rajokri, Tikri, Aya Nagar, Kalindi Kunj, Auchandi, Mandoli, Kapashera and Bajghera Toll on the Dwarka Expressway.
A senior traffic official said that around 90 per cent of all commercial vehicles enter Delhi through these checkpoints. Each team, led by an inspector-level officer, will operate in two shifts - 8 am to 8 pm and 8 pm to 8 am - to ensure round-the-clock checking.
Officials estimate that between 50,000 and 70,000 commercial goods vehicles in the NCR still do not meet BS-IV standards. Vehicles found violating the order will be turned back at the border. Coordination has also been established with Haryana Police, as a large number of goods vehicles enter from Gurugram and Faridabad.
Transporters have expressed concern that the restrictions could temporarily raise logistics costs. Rajendra Kapoor, a transporter operating across NCR, said the government must ensure a balance between environmental protection and economic stability. “Restricting older vehicles is a step forward, but it could also push up transportation costs and the prices of daily-use goods unless transition support is provided,” he said.
Delhi’s air quality showed mild improvement on Friday, though it continued to remain in the ‘poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 268 at 8 am, a slight improvement from the ‘very poor’ range earlier in the week. Experts attributed the temporary relief to light rainfall and stronger wind patterns in the region.
Despite the improvement, the CAQM said the restrictions were vital to controlling vehicular emissions, which account for a large share of Delhi’s winter pollution. “The measure is part of comprehensive steps to address sources of emissions and maintain cleaner air quality through the winter months,” the Commission stated.
