Entry of commercial diesel vehicles banned in Delhi as air quality dips to ‘severe’

The entry of commercial vehicles and trucks that run on diesel was banned in Delhi on Friday as the city’s air quality index dipped to the ‘severe’ category.

However, all vehicles carrying essential goods and those that run on CNG and electric trucks will be allowed to ply in Delhi. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) breaching the 450-mark in the city, the Delhi Government took the decision to implement the corrective measures with immediate effect. Under this, stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was enforced by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas.

As per the order issued by the Delhi Transport Department, entry would not be allowed for any diesel truck into Delhi except for trucks carrying essential commodities or providing essential services.

Furthermore, Delhi-registered diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGV) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) also will not be allowed to ply in Delhi except for those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services. The order issued by Delhi Transport Department also states that the BS-III Petrol and BS-IV Diesel Light Motor Vehicle (LMVs) – 4 wheelers will be banned from plying in the areas under the jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi.

In addition to this, to provide convenience for people to travel within the city, the public transport services will be augmented by the transport department by hiring up to 1,000 private CNG contract carriage buses through Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) for a period of 60 days. It may be extended up to 90 days as per future requirements. In the first phase, 500 buses will be hired.