NEW DELHI: In response to worsening air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), the Delhi government has implemented a ban on the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers. This directive follows an order from the Centre’s air quality management panel.

The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi has been steadily climbing, reaching 397 at 10 am and 409 at 4 pm today. The Centre, invoking Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), has ordered restrictions on non-essential construction activities and the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in Delhi and the NCR.

According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), adverse meteorological conditions, including fog and haze coupled with low wind speed, have led to a sudden spike in Delhi’s daily average AQI. The CAQM, responsible for devising anti-pollution strategies in the region, highlighted these as primary causes.

The Delhi transport department, following a review by the sub-committee for implementing the revised GRAP, issued an order restricting the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. This ban is effective immediately and remains in place until further notice, except for vehicles utilized in emergency services, police, and government enforcement activities.

The order emphasizes strict penalties, stating that any BS-III petrol or BS-IV diesel four-wheelers found on the road will face prosecution under Section 194(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, resulting in a fine of Rs 20,000. Stage-III restrictions also apply to these vehicles in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar.

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