Key highlights
- Delhi’s AQI has entered the severe zone once again, triggering emergency measures
- BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel vehicles are now banned under GRAP Stage 3
- Commercial vehicles may remain exempt but enforcement is expected to be strict
Delhi is choking again. The national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has slipped back into the severe category, forcing the government to reintroduce emergency restrictions. And once more, the spotlight falls on older vehicles, specifically BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel cars which cannot legally ply on Delhi roads until air quality improves.
This ban comes under GRAP Stage 3 (Graded Response Action Plan), a framework designed to control air pollution whenever AQI readings cross 400. The latest readings have crossed that threshold, with several zones reporting AQI numbers above 450. That’s the kind of air where stepping outside feels like you’re inhaling a campfire.
Who’s banned now:
- BS3 petrol cars
- BS4 diesel cars
- These restrictions apply immediately in Delhi and NCR districts
Who’s still allowed:
- Commercial and essential service vehicles
- Newer BS6 cars
- EVs and CNG vehicles
Thousands of private vehicles are now effectively grounded. Violations come with a fine of INR 20,000 under the Motor Vehicles Act. And this time, enforcement is expected to be tighter, Delhi Police and transport officials have already been instructed to step up checks.
This isn’t the first time Delhi has implemented this measure. Each winter, as stubble burning, low wind speeds, and urban emissions mix into a toxic soup, the rulebook gets dusted off, and the blame game resumes. Vehicles are often the first to be hit, even though they’re only one part of a much larger pollution puzzle.
The Centre and Delhi Government are also weighing more steps if things worsen, including banning truck entry, shutting down construction, and restricting industrial activity.
The bad news? Forecasts suggest no major wind shift for now. The good news? We’re at least talking about EVs, clean mobility, and long-term fixes more seriously than before. But right now, the immediate plan is clear: park those older diesels.
Our thoughts
Let’s be honest, nobody likes a ban. Not the guy with a BS4 diesel Ford Endeavour, not the family using a BS3 WagonR, and definitely not the thousands who still rely on older cars because upgrading isn’t cheap. But Delhi’s air isn’t just bad, it’s unbreathable.
Yes, this solves only a slice of the problem, and yes, burning fields and factory smoke conveniently get fewer headlines. But this is the system we’ve got right now, and vehicles always end up on the front line.
Also read: Supreme Court suggests phasing out ICE cars starting with luxury cars
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