The Delhi government has significantly tightened its grip on vehicular emissions as air quality in the national capital remains in the “Severe Plus” category. Under the newly enforced Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 4, a strict ban has been placed on the entry of older outstation vehicles, alongside a pioneering policy that denies fuel to any vehicle lacking a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).
This enforcement comes after a brief period of internal deliberation, with officials deciding to narrow the scope of the ban to specifically target periods when the Air Quality Index exceeds 450 to avoid constant cross-border disruption.
The primary target of the new restrictions is older, high-emission vehicles arriving from neighboring states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. All non-BS-VI private cars registered outside Delhi, specifically BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel models, are now barred from entering the city. While these curbs are severe, exemptions remain in place for electric vehicles, CNG-powered cars, and any vehicle involved in essential services such as medical emergencies or the transport of food and dairy.
To manage the potential for massive traffic jams while maintaining strict compliance, the Delhi Traffic Police and the Transport Department have deployed a multi-layered enforcement strategy. Over 580 personnel and 37 specialized “Prakhar” vans are stationed at 126 border entry points to monitor traffic flow. Rather than stopping every individual car, which would cause gridlock, authorities are relying on high-tech solutions.
Digital tracking tools connected to the national Vahan database allow officers to instantly verify a vehicle’s emission category and PUC status via its license plate. Additionally, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cameras installed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi at key borders are automatically identifying non-compliant vehicles as they approach.
The government has also extended its enforcement to the city’s infrastructure by activating a strict layer of control at petrol pumps. Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have been installed at 500 fuel stations to detect vehicles without a valid PUC.
If a non-compliant vehicle is detected, the system broadcasts the registration number over a loudspeaker, and the station is prohibited from providing fuel. Transport Minister Pankaj Singh noted that technology plays a central role in this process, ensuring that the millions of vehicles currently lacking valid certificates are identified and penalized.
Commuters and business operators across the National Capital Region are bracing for significant disruption. Many daily drivers expressed concern over the potential for long delays at busy entry points like Anand Vihar and Ghazipur, while logistics managers warned that the immediate seizure of trucks carrying construction materials could impact livelihoods.
Despite these concerns, officials maintain that the measures are necessary to combat the “Severe Plus” pollution levels that have persisted since mid-December. By focusing these restrictions on GRAP Stage 4, the government aims to strike a balance between public health necessity and the logistical needs of a massive metropolitan area.