From Nov 1 to Jan 31, vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards will be barred from entering the capital.For thousands who live in neighbouring cities but work in Delhi, the ban raises practical questions: How do you get to work, pick up a family member from IGI Airport late at night or reach a hospital in an emergency when your own car cannot cross the border? As TOI’s Ishita Jairath finds out, citizens are worried. And confused
Over 10 lakh vehicles face restrictions
WHAT AGENCIES ARE DOINGMORE METRO TRIPS, HALF THE OFFICE STAFFDMRC has added 20 weekday trips since Oct 22, after Stage-I of GRAP was invoked. “Additional trips have been introduced to encourage more people to use public transport than their personal vehicles. After Stage-II of GRAP comes into effect, 20 more trips will be added, taking the total additional trips to 40,” a DMRC official said.
CNG and electric vehicles remain exempt
The metro has seen record demand during severe pollution episodes. On Nov 18, 2024, it recorded its then-highest passenger boarding, at 78.7 lakh, as Delhi’s AQI reached 494.
Offices directed to halve staff strength
Govt and private offices have also been directed to reduce staff strength by 50% from Nov 1 to Jan 31, 2027.
DMRC adds 20 weekday metro trips
WHAT’S NOT ALLOWEDOver 10+ lakh vehicles (personal and commercial) are set to go off roadsNOIDA & GREATER NOIDA4 lakh+GHAZIABAD4 lakhGURGAON & FARIDABAD2 lakh
CNG and electric vehicles remain exempt
WHAT’S ALLOWEDCNG and electric vehicles, along with specified emergency and sovereign-duty vehicles, such as ambulances, fire tenders and police vehicles.300 TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL TO BE DEPLOYEDThe transport department will deploy 300 enforcement personnel to implement the ban. Automatic number plate recognition cameras, already installed at petrol pumps, will also be used to scan registration plates.Sources claim emergencies will be kept in mind during enforcement.
