The Delhi government has announced a strict new rule to control rising air pollution in the national capital. From Tuesday, December 16, private vehicles that do not meet the BS-VI emission standard will not be allowed to enter Delhi when severe pollution control measures are in place. This decision is expected to disrupt the daily travel of many people across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), especially those who commute to the city for work or business.

According to the government, all non-BS VI vehicles, including BS-IV and older models, will be barred from entering Delhi during GRAP-III and GRAP-IV stages. This rule applies to petrol, diesel, and CNG vehicles registered outside Delhi. Even BS-IV vehicles, which were once considered clean, are now classified as polluting under the new norms. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said these steps are necessary to reduce vehicular emissions and protect the city’s air quality. He also announced that vehicles carrying construction material will be stopped from entering Delhi during GRAP-IV.

Fuel rules have also been tightened. Petrol pumps in Delhi have been instructed to supply fuel only to vehicles that show a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). Without this certificate, vehicle owners may be denied fuel, even if their vehicle meets BS-VI standards. Authorities believe this will ensure better compliance with emission norms.

Vehicle owners can check whether their car is BS-VI by looking at the Registration Certificate (RC). The BS-VI emission standard became mandatory for all new vehicles from April 1, 2020, so vehicles manufactured or registered after this date generally meet the requirement. Carrying a valid PUCC along with vehicle documents is now essential to avoid inconvenience.

The ban is expected to affect over 10 lakh vehicles across NCR. Gurgaon alone has around 2 lakh BS-IV vehicles, Noida has about 4 lakh, and Ghaziabad nearly 5.5 lakh. In addition, the region has thousands of commercial BS-IV diesel vehicles, BS-III petrol vehicles, and older buses. Authorities have urged people to check their vehicle status in advance, avoid unnecessary travel during high pollution days, and use public transport wherever possible to ensure a smoother commute.

What are BS-VI standards

BS-VI (Bharat Stage-VI) standards are India’s strict vehicle emission norms designed to reduce air pollution. Introduced from April 1, 2020, they set much lower limits on harmful emissions like nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and carbon monoxide from petrol and diesel vehicles. BS-VI vehicles use cleaner fuel, advanced engines, and better exhaust treatment systems to cut pollution and improve air quality.