The Air Quality Index (AQI) has worsened in Delhi-NCR, and as a result, the state government has put a ban on the entry of medium and heavy goods vehicles. To curb the increased pollution levels, the state government has implemented the 3rd stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the national capital region. The Delhi State Government has restricted the movement of selected vehicles in Delhi. Certain passenger cars also fall into this category. The violators will have to pay a hefty amount. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is getting closer to the 500 mark, and in terms of pollution levels, the 500 mark is considered very dangerous. Ahead of the festival of Diwali, the state government has taken action to curb the spike in pollution levels.
The state government has barred BS4 diesel and BS3 petrol vehicles from plying on the roads of Delhi. The cars or two-wheelers holding BS3 petrol or BS4 diesel certification will be barred from entering Delhi roads. Entry of private buses with BS4 diesel certification is already banned in Delhi. During GRAP stage 3, vehicles holding the BS6 certification are allowed to ply on the roads. Vehicle owners are advised to carry their pollution certificates (PUC) with them. Electric or CNG vehicles are free from all these restrictions.
Read More: Demand of GST Removal on Helmets
Along with Delhi, stage 3 of GRAP has been implemented in other cities, including Noida and Ghaziabad in UP and Faridabad and Gurugram in Haryana. Stage 4 of GRAP will further restrict diesel commercial vehicles. The vehicles used for important services will be exempt from this category. If the Air Quality Index (AQI) continues to worsen, commercial vehicles will also be banned.
To tackle the rising air pollution in Delhi, the state government has already announced the ‘Red Light on, Gaadi off’ campaign on October 26, 2023. Under this campaign, the government encouraged divers to turn off their vehicles at red lights. As part of the 15-point action plan, this campaign was first unveiled on October 16, 2020. If the pollution levels in the national capital worsen further and the Air Quality Index (AQI) crosses the 500 mark, the Delhi state government will introduce the odd-even scheme.
