Delhi Bans Plying Of BS-III Petrol, BS-IV Diesel 4 Wheelers As Air Quality Slips To 'Severe' Category Again

As the air quality worsens in the national capital, the Delhi government has imposed a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers from plying in the city.

Delhi Air Pollution: The Delhi government on Sunday imposed a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers from plying in the national capital following an order issued by the central government amid worsening air quality in the city and the National Capital Region (NCR). The decision came after the air quality was recorded in the "severe" category in the city.  

Earlier in the day, the central government ordered a ban on non-essential construction work and plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the Delhi-National Capital Region.

The Commission for Air Quality Management noted a significant rise in Delhi's AQI (458 and 457 at 10 am and 11 am respectively) due to unfavourable climatic conditions and local pollution sources, as reported by news agency PTI.

The committee anticipated a prolonged period of severe air quality and decided to implement GRAP Stage-III curbs ('severe' air quality index range) immediately to prevent further deterioration.

In its order, the Delhi transport department stated that the sub-committee for the operationalisation of the revised GRAP has reviewed the air quality scenario as well as the forecast for meteorological conditions and the air quality index in Delhi.

"As per directions as provided under Stage III of the revised GRAP and under Section 115 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is hereby ordered that there shall be restrictions to ply BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs (four-wheelers) in the NCT of Delhi with immediate effect till further orders (except for vehicles deployed in emergency services, police vehicles, and government vehicles used for enforcement)," the order said, as quoted by PTI.

"If any BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs (four-wheeler) found plying on the road will be prosecuted under Section 194(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which provides a fine of Rs 20,000," it further stated.

GRAP is the Centre's air pollution control plan implemented in the region during the winter season. The GRAP categorises actions into four stages: Stage I "Poor" (AQI 201-300); Stage II "Very Poor" (AQI 301-400); Stage III "Severe" (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV "Severe Plus" (AQI>450).