Delhi Air Quality Improves Govt. Ends Ban on Diesel Vehicles

New Delhi: The government of Delhi has decided not to extend the restrictions on plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in the city because of the improvement in air quality, according to officials.

The curbs on plying of these types of vehicles was in place till November 13 as part of the curbs under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The Delhi government’s Transport department reviewed the circumstance on Monday and decided that the curbs will not be extended, sources said.

Taking into account the recent improvement in the air quality in the NCT of Delhi, the restrictions imposed for plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (four-wheelers) in the jurisdiction of NCT of Delhi are hereby revoked with immediate effect till further orders.

“The department will closely monitor the AQI level in the NCT of Delhi and directions will be reviewed accordingly,” says the official order issued by the department on Monday.

During a review meeting last week, the department of transport decided that the curbs under Stage 3 of GRAP should stay in place for the next few days instead of a knee-jerk reaction.

“BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi will remain banned under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan,” Environment Minister Gopal Rai said last Monday.

In an order issued on November 7, the transport department had said owners of vehicles found plying in violation of the rule would be penalized under the Motor Vehicles Act, which could be a fine of up to Rs. 20,000. Vehicles deployed for emergency services and government and election-related work did not come under the ban purview.

The transport department had said in its order, “As per the directions provided under Stage III of revised GRAP, there will be a restriction to ply BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles (four-wheelers) in the jurisdiction of NCT of Delhi.

“The above directions will remain enforced till November 13 or downward revision in the GRAP stage, whichever is earlier. The restrictions will continue beyond November 13, if CAQM orders GRAP-III and above restrictions.” Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor category on Monday morning. As of 9 a.m. 14.11.2022, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was 309.