Delhi tightens rules: old cars barred, pollution checks now mandatory
Delhi’s pollution curbs may disrupt 12 lakh commuters as older vehicles from NCR towns face new restrictions
From today, Delhi has drawn a firm line in its battle against choking air pollution. Vehicles that do not meet BS-VI emission standards are no longer allowed to enter the national capital, and fuel stations have been instructed to deny fuel to any vehicle without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. The move marks one of the strictest enforcement phases Delhi has seen in recent years as air quality continues to hover in the “very poor” to “severe” range.
Officials estimate that nearly 12 lakh vehicles entering Delhi daily from neighbouring cities — Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Noida — will be affected. Around 5.5 lakh vehicles from Ghaziabad, over four lakh from Noida and nearly two lakh from Gurugram will now be barred from entering the capital if they fail to meet BS-VI norms. For thousands of commuters who cross Delhi’s borders every morning for work, education or business, the new rules mean sudden disruption and difficult choices.
To enforce the restrictions, the Delhi Police has deployed 580 personnel across the city, supported by 37 enforcement vans stationed at 126 checkpoints. Multiple agencies are involved in the crackdown. Officials from the Transport Department, Municipal Corporation and Food Department have been positioned at petrol pumps to ensure compliance. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed at fuel stations will electronically flag vehicles that do not have valid PUC certificates, leaving little room for violations to go unnoticed.
The measures were announced by Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday and will remain in effect as long as Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is enforced. Stage IV is the most severe level of GRAP, activated only when pollution reaches extreme levels and poses serious health risks, especially to children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.
Government studies underline why vehicles are being targeted so aggressively. During winter months, vehicular emissions account for nearly 19.7 percent of PM10 pollution and about 25.1 percent of PM2.5 — the finer, more dangerous particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream. Combined with stubble burning, industrial emissions and unfavourable weather conditions, traffic pollution becomes a major contributor to Delhi’s annual air crisis.
Beyond restricting vehicle entry, authorities say longer-term fixes are also underway. Work has begun to reduce congestion at 100 identified traffic hotspots across the city. An integrated traffic management system is being developed to cut down waiting times at traffic signals, which officials believe will help reduce idle emissions and overall pollution levels. However, such measures will take time to show results.
The issue has also reached the national political stage. The Lok Sabha is scheduled to hold a debate on air pollution today under Rule 193, following sustained demands from the Congress and other Opposition parties. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly called for the discussion, arguing that pollution is a public health emergency that deserves urgent parliamentary attention. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav is expected to respond to the debate at 5 pm, a moment many see as crucial for shaping future policy direction.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s residents continue to live under a toxic haze. The city’s Air Quality Index has remained between “severe” and “very poor” since November. For many, even this slight improvement offers little comfort.
The pollution crisis has also disrupted daily life beyond the roads. Physical classes for primary school students have been suspended, while secondary and higher secondary students have been given the option to attend classes online or in person. Offices have been advised to operate with only 50 percent staff on site, encouraging remote work where possible.
For Delhiites, these measures are both necessary and painful. While the restrictions aim to protect public health, they also highlight the deeper structural challenges the city faces. As winter deepens, the coming weeks will test whether strict enforcement can deliver cleaner air — or whether Delhi’s annual pollution emergency will once again overwhelm temporary solutions.