Delhi bans entry of old diesel vehicles from other states to tackle pollution

According to the CAQM directive, all Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs), Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs), and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registered outside Delhi that are below BS-6 emission standards will not be allowed entry from November 1.

Commercial goods vehicles from other states meeting BS-IV standards will be permitted to enter Delhi only until October 31, 2026. However, Delhi-registered vehicles, as well as CNG, LNG, and electric vehicles, will continue to operate without restriction.

The aim of the decision is to reduce emissions from aging diesel engines that significantly contribute to pollution. As per 2022–23 data, Delhi had about 79.45 lakh registered commercial vehicles.

States most likely to be affected

The ban will heavily impact thousands of truck, tempo, and logistics operators from outside Delhi, particularly those whose routes pass through the capital. Many will need to reroute their journeys via NCR areas or upgrade their fleets to comply with the new norms.

Affected states and regions include:

• Uttar Pradesh (Noida, Ghaziabad)

• Haryana (Gurugram, Faridabad)

• Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand (Delhi-route transporters)

• Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh (North Freight Corridor)

GRAP restrictions to continue

CAQM also stated that additional restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) would remain in force whenever pollution levels spike.

Earlier this week, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) announced a doubling of parking fees across the city following the enforcement of GRAP Stage II due to deteriorating air quality.

On Friday morning, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 268, categorized as “poor,” though visibility showed slight improvement as haze reduced.

Delhi records best AQI in 8 years (excluding 2020 lockdown)

CAQM reported that between January and October 2025, Delhi recorded its best air quality in eight years, excluding the lockdown year.

What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)?

The AQI measures how clean or polluted the air is and helps gauge its potential impact on health. It primarily tracks the levels of five major pollutants — ground-level ozone, particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

AQI readings, often seen as numbers such as 80, 102, 184, or 250, indicate the pollution level — with higher values representing poorer air quality and greater health risks.