In an effort to reduce Delhi’s toxic air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced that starting November 1, 2025, only BS6-compliant commercial vehicles will be allowed to enter the national capital. All vehicles that run on BS4, BS5, or older emission standards will be completely banned from entering Delhi, according to PTI.
Delhi to ban all non-BS6 commercial vehicles
For weeks now, the city has been suffocating under poor air quality, which worsens with the arrival of winter as a thick blanket of smog covers Delhi. The decision aims to reduce vehicular pollution, one of the biggest contributors to the capital’s dangerous air quality during this season.
From November 1, Delhi’s borders will be shut for all commercial vehicles that don’t meet BS6 emission standards. This means trucks and goods carriers running on older engines, especially those on diesel, will no longer be allowed into the city. Strict action will be taken against those who fail to comply. Multiple checkpoints along the city’s borders will be set up to ensure compliance.
The CAQM has asked the governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to ensure strict implementation of the new rule through their transport departments as well. Delhi Police has also been instructed to ramp up checks at border entry points so that BS4 and older vehicles are denied entry.
What are BS6 engines?
The BS6 or Bharat Stage VI is the current standard that represents India’s most advanced emission norm. Vehicles running on BS6 engines emit far less harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), which are one of the biggest causes of smog and respiratory illnesses.
If compared to BS4 engines, BS6 vehicles run on a fuel with lower sulfur content and have since been upgraded in technology to limit toxic emissions. The government has made BS6 compliance mandatory for all new vehicles sold after April 1, 2020.
Temporary relief for some vehicles
At the start and for a smoother transition, the government has offered limited relief to certain vehicle categories. This includes BS4 diesel commercial vehicles, which will be allowed to enter Delhi till October 31, 2026.
Locally registered BS6 diesel, BS4 diesel (till 2026), and CNG/LNG/electric commercial vehicles will not be affected.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s recent average Air Quality Index (AQI) was registered at 301, placing it in the “very poor” category. Areas like Anand Vihar and Wazirpur recorded AQI levels close to 400, which falls in the “severe” category.
The CAQM has said that the Graded Response Action Plan will continue to remain in force. This means that if the quality worsens, stricter measures could be introduced, including additional limits on vehicle movement.
