Gearing up for winter air pollution, authorities will enforce strict rules across the Delhi-NCR region starting Sunday. These measures aim to curb smog and improve air quality over the coming months.
The entry and operation of non-BS6 vehicles in Delhi will be prohibited from Sunday. The restrictions will remain in force until January 31, 2027.
Key curbs imposed for commuters:
1. Construction work ban: All dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction are banned from November 1 to January 31, the government announced. Essential public infrastructure projects are exempt under strict conditions. Indoor finishing, plumbing, and electrical work may also continue, provided dust-control standards are met.
2. Older vehicles banned: Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards are barred from entering the national capital. This restriction impacts an estimated 10 lakh older petrol and diesel vehicles commuting from neighbouring areas such as Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad. Meanwhile, electric vehicles, CNG vehicles, and emergency services—including ambulances and fire engines—are exempt.
3. Work from home: Both government and private offices must operate with only half their staff physically present, while the remaining workforce works from home. Essential services are excluded from these restrictions.
4. Timings and parking: To ease peak-hour traffic, office timings across civic bodies have been staggered. Municipal Corporation of Delhi offices will operate from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, while Delhi government offices will function from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.
To discourage private vehicle use, parking fees at many public lots will double. Metro-managed parking facilities, however, are exempt from the fee hike.
5. No PUC, no fuel: According to the order, the 'No PUC, No Fuel' policy takes effect across Delhi's petrol pumps on November 1. To enforce the rule, 500 petrol pumps in the city have been equipped with Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to scan registration plates. If a vehicle's Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate has expired, pump operators will refuse to dispense petrol, diesel, or CNG.
