The Delhi government banned the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the city on Monday, citing limits imposed by the Centre's air quality panel under stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), news agency PTI reported.
The GRAP implementation sub-committee met on Sunday to assess the regional air quality scenario, as well as projections for meteorological conditions and the Delhi air quality index, as air pollution became severe.
"As per the directions as provided under Stage III of the revised GRAP and under section 115 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, it is hereby ordered that there shall be restrictions to ply BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs (four-wheelers) in NCT of Delhi with immediate effect till December 9 or till downward revision in GRAP stage, whichever is earlier," read an order issued by the transport department, PTI reported.
Vehicles used for government, electoral, or emergency services activities are excluded.
"If any BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMV four-wheeler found plying on the roads will be prosecuted under section 194 of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 which provides with a fine of Rs 20,000," the order said.
After November 4, when the AQI was 447, Delhi's pollution level was classified as "severe."
An AQI of 201 to 300 is regarded as "poor," 301 to 400 as "very poor," and 401 to 500 as "severe."
(With Inputs From PTI)