Delhi Imposes Ban on Non-Compliant Commercial Vehicles from November 1 to Curb Rising Air Pollution

From 1 November 2025, a key measure has officially come into force in the national capital aimed at reducing vehicular pollution: only commercial goods vehicles meeting the latest emission norms will now be permitted to enter New Delhi.

Under directives issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and implemented via the Delhi Transport Department in coordination with traffic enforcement agencies, goods-vehicles registered outside Delhi and not compliant with the Bharat Stage VI (BS‑VI) norms will be barred from entering the city.

Simultaneously, the ban also covers vehicles below even the earlier BS-IV standard. According to the notice, vehicles below BS-IV norms cannot enter from 1 November.

As per the implementation:

• Commercial goods vehicles registered outside Delhi that are not BS-VI compliant will not be permitted entry from the start date. 

• There is a transitional exemption: BS-IV commercial goods vehicles (registered outside Delhi) will be allowed entry only until 31 October 2026, giving a one-year buffer. 

• Vehicles registered within Delhi, BS-VI compliant vehicles, and those running on cleaner fuels (CNG, LNG, electricity) are exempt from this ban.

Another complementary move bans commercial goods vehicles that do not meet BS-IV norms from 1 November. Enforcement teams at 23 major entry/exit points such as Kundli, Tikri, Aya Nagar, Kalindi Kunj, Mandoli and Kapashera border crossings have been formed for monitoring. An estimated 50,000-70,000 vehicles fall below BS-IV standards and will be impacted.

See Also: Delhi’s Air Pollution levels on Diwali Surge to Dangerous Highs: Report

Why the measure?

Vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to the poor air quality in Delhi, especially in the November-to-January period when seasonal factors such as cooler temperatures, low wind speed and inversion layers trap pollutants. According to data:

• Annual average PM₂.₅ concentrations in Delhi in 2021-22 were around 100 µg/m³ — about 20 times the World Health Organization guideline of 5 µg/m³.

• Real-time data show the city continues to record “poor” to “very poor” air quality index (AQI) levels in this season — for example the daily average AQI for New Delhi in 2024 was ~169, still well above safe limits.

• A recent Government bulletin noted that at 18 monitoring points across Delhi, PM₂.₅ levels have been showing a “continuing declining trend”, yet concentrations remain high and cause for concern.

By targeting older, higher-emission vehicles entering the capital from neighbouring states, authorities aim to cut a meaningful portion of transported emissions.

Enforcement will be stronger at toll plazas, expressway entrances and defined entry points into Delhi. Vehicle operators will need to ensure compliance with the VAHAN database registration and emission category records. Failure to comply may lead to refusal of entry or penalties. 

What could be next measures to keep the hazardous pollution levels under check; Despite the new measures, Delhi still faces persistent air-quality challenges. The city remains among those with the highest particulate pollution levels in India. 

To further strengthen the impact of the vehicle restriction, complementary actions are important:

• Accelerating the phase-out or retrofit of older vehicles (including passenger and commercial fleets) so that emissions from existing stock fall.

• Expanding public transport, promoting electric vehicles, and incentivising goods movement via cleaner modes (CNG/LNG/electric).

• Controlling other major pollution sources such as construction dust, road dust resuspension, open-waste burning and crop-residue burning in neighbouring states.

• Enhancing monitoring, transparency and public awareness about real-time air quality so citizens can make informed decisions on outdoor activities.

• Strengthening coordination between Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan (which border Delhi) because many polluting vehicles originate outside the city. Indeed, inter-state enforcement cooperation is key.
  

[Rh/MY/VP]

Suggested Reading: