Delhi Cracks Down: BS6 Non-Compliant Vehicles Banned Under GRAP-II
Delhi Traffic Police crack down on polluting vehicles under GRAP-II, turning back hundreds of BS6 non-compliant cars and buses at borders.
In a decisive move to combat the plummeting air quality in the national capital, authorities have banned BS6 non-compliant vehicles from entering Delhi. This strict measure comes as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-II), aimed at curbing the surge of pollutants during the winter months.
Massive Border Checks and Crackdowns
The Delhi Traffic Police have shifted into high gear to enforce these restrictions, particularly at key entry points like the Singhu border. The scale of the operation is evident from the recent data released by the department.
On November 1 alone, between midnight and 8:00 PM, traffic officials conducted an intensive drive where 7,279 vehicles were screened. The results of the crackdown were significant:
- 714 vehicles were turned back for failing to meet the required standards.
- 38 vehicles were impounded.
- 10 vehicles were issued challans.
Beyond the borders, the Delhi Traffic Police revealed that more than 10,000 challans for traffic and pollution violations are being issued every single day, highlighting the magnitude of the pollution challenge.
Inter-State Coordination to Fight Smog
Recognizing that air pollution does not respect city boundaries, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa recently chaired a virtual meeting with officials from neighboring NCR districts. Representatives from Noida, Faridabad, Gurugram, Sonipat, and Bahadurgarh joined the discussions to synchronize their efforts.
The primary goals of this coordination include:
- Preventing buses that do not meet emission standards from entering the city.
- Taking strict action against overage petrol and diesel vehicles.
- Diverting trucks not destined for Delhi through the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways to reduce congestion and local emissions.
- Ensuring smoother traffic movement to prevent idling-related pollution at borders.
Strict Norms for Public Transport
The government has made it clear that buses operating within the Delhi-NCR region must adhere to strict fuel standards. All such buses are now required to run on electricity, CNG, or BS-VI-compliant diesel. Any vehicle falling short of these benchmarks faces the risk of being barred from the capital.
Beyond Vehicle Bans: Dust Control and Awareness
While vehicle restrictions are a core part of the strategy, the government is deploying a multi-pronged approach to improve the Air Quality Index (AQI). Additional measures being stepped up include:
- Increased mechanical road sweeping to remove dust.
- Frequent water sprinkling to settle airborne particles.
- Deployment of extra enforcement teams as GRAP restrictions tighten.
To ensure the public is not caught off guard, the Delhi Traffic Police have launched an extensive awareness campaign. Information is being disseminated via radio, social media, and print media, while information boards and pamphlets have been deployed at all major borders.
"Tackling air pollution requires joint efforts from Delhi and neighbouring NCR districts," stated Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, emphasizing the need for cleaner public transport and stricter checks under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
The escalation to these measures follows the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan on October 21, as the city's air quality continued to deteriorate.