Entry ban on old outstation cars in Delhi now in Grap 4

The Delhi government on Wednesday substantially narrowed the scope of its planned ban on older vehicles from neighbouring states, announcing that the prohibition would now be enforced only during the most severe air pollution episodes.

- Karn Pratap Singh, Snehil Sinha and Jasjeev Gandhiok

This rollback comes just a day after officials declared that no vehicle registered outside Delhi with emission standards lower than Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) would be allowed to enter the city starting Thursday.

The final order, issued Wednesday, states that the restriction will apply exclusively when Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) is in force. Stage 4 is invoked when the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpasses 450, signifying “Severe Plus” conditions. This marks a notable shift from Tuesday's clarification, which had said the rule would apply under both Grap stages 3 (AQI above 400) and 4.

A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained the modification was made “to avoid large-scale disruptions.” The official noted, “Since a lot of vehicles come from NCR, it was decided to only keep it when Stage 4 is in place. The decision has been partially modified after discussions, also keeping in mind there is no disruption on Delhi's borders.”

The revised rule, if tied strictly to Grap Stage 4, may seem limited; see, historically, Grap Stage 4 is invoked when the AQI exceeds 450, so it has been a rare measure. In 2024, for instance, Delhi recorded only three such days. However, this season has seen more severe pollution, with Grap Stage 4 remaining continuously in force since December 13 (despite the recent improvement in the air).

Plans for enforcement