In a bold move to combat severe winter pollution, the Delhi government has implemented stringent restrictions starting December 18, 2025, barring entry to all private vehicles registered outside the city that do not comply with BS-VI emission standards. This measure, announced by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, targets non-Delhi registered older vehicles, effectively prohibiting pre-BS-VI models from entering the national capital while Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remains in effect. The decision aims to significantly reduce vehicular emissions, which contribute substantially to the city's hazardous air quality during the colder months.

The restrictions are expected to impact approximately 12 lakh vehicles daily commuting from neighboring NCR areas, including over 4 lakh from Noida, around 2 lakh from Gurugram, and 5.5 lakh from Ghaziabad. To enforce compliance, 580 police personnel have been deployed across 126 checkpoints, supported by 37 enforcement vans. Automatic number plate recognition cameras at borders and petrol pumps will verify vehicle emission standards and registration details, ensuring only BS-VI compliant outstation vehicles are permitted entry.

Additionally, fuel stations across Delhi are mandated to deny petrol, diesel, or CNG to any vehicle lacking a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. This "no PUC, no fuel" policy is backed by on-ground checks and digital monitoring, with strict penalties for violations. Authorities have emphasized that these rules apply uniformly, urging vehicle owners to ensure compliance to avoid disruptions at pumps or borders.

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Delhi's air quality continues to hover in the "very poor" to "severe" categories, with recent readings showing slight fluctuations but no substantial relief. Studies indicate vehicles account for nearly 20-25 percent of particulate matter pollution in winter, prompting these emergency actions alongside other GRAP-IV measures, such as 50 percent work-from-home mandates for offices and restrictions on construction activities.

Broader initiatives include efforts to alleviate traffic congestion at over 100 hotspots through integrated systems and promotion of public transport alternatives. As parliamentary discussions on national pollution strategies unfold, these local enforcements underscore the urgent need for coordinated regional efforts to address the persistent smog crisis affecting public health in the capital.

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