From 1 November 2025, the Commission
for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) directive means
that all commercial goods vehicles (light, medium, heavy) registered
outside Delhi which are not compliant with BS-VI emission standards
will be barred from entering the national capital. Vehicles certified as BS-IV or older and
registered outside Delhi will need to wait until the transition window
ends on 31 October 2026 if they still want to enter.
Vehicles registered within Delhi, and
those running on CNG, LNG or electricity, or already meeting BS-VI, are exempt
from the ban.
Why This
Measure Is Being Implemented
Delhi’s air quality remains highly polluted,
especially in winter when particulate matter and vehicular emissions spike. The
transport sector, particularly older diesel goods vehicles entering Delhi from
neighbouring states, contributes significantly to this pollution. The CAQM has
signalled this ban as a key effort to reduce these emissions and protect public
health.
How
Enforcement Will Work
To implement the ban, the Delhi Transport
Department and the Traffic Police will deploy enforcement teams at major entry
points into the city such as Kundli, Rajokri, Tikri, Kalindi Kunj, Kapashera
and others. Some reports mention around 23 enforcement teams operating
in two shifts (8 am-8 pm and 8 pm-8 am) to provide 24-hour coverage.
Vehicles that are found violating the ban will
be turned back or barred from entering. Transporters are being advised to
comply ahead of the date to avoid disruption.
What It
Means for Transporters and Goods Movement
For fleet owners and logistics companies whose
vehicles are registered outside Delhi, the ban signals a need to upgrade
or replace older trucks that do not meet BS-VI norms. Many have expressed
concern that the fleet upgrade may raise transportation costs, which
could in turn affect prices of goods. The transitional window till 31 October
2026 provides some breathing space.
Transition
& Exemptions
Non-Delhi registered goods vehicles that are
BS-IV compliant will retain entry until 31 October 2026 under the
transitional measure.
Delhi-registered vehicles remain unaffected by
this rule for now.
Vehicles running on cleaner fuels (CNG,
LNG, electric) or already BS-VI compliant are unaffected from 1 November 2025.
The ban covers only goods vehicles
(LGV, MGV, HGV) registered outside Delhi, not private vehicles.
Potential
Impact & Challenges
While this regulation will help reduce
emissions and improve air quality, it brings a few challenges:
Smaller transport operators might struggle
with cost of upgrading fleets.
Logistics costs could increase temporarily,
possibly affecting supply chains and prices of goods.
Ensuring effective enforcement at border
checkpoints is critical to avoid non-compliance.
Coordination is needed with neighbouring
states (Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, etc.) which register many of the outgoing
vehicles.
Final
Thoughts
The 1 November 2025 ban on non-BS-VI
commercial goods vehicles entering Delhi from outside the city marks a big step
in the capital’s fight against air pollution. By targeting older, high-emitting
trucks, the CAQM aims to cut a major source of particulate emissions. For
transporters and logistics firms, the message is clear: upgrade or adapt. For
residents of Delhi, it could mean a breath of fresher air in coming winters.
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