Delhi pollution restrictions affecting vehicles, parking, offices and construction activity are set to take effect from November 1 under the Delhi government’s winter action plan, while the Commission for Air Quality Management has already brought GRAP-1 into force across the region.
According to the report by Live Hindustan – NCR, Delhi recorded an air quality index of 244 on October 21, placing the city in the ‘poor’ category. The winter measures are intended to reduce vehicle emissions, road congestion, construction dust and other pollution sources during the season.
From November 1 to January 31, petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards will not be allowed to enter the capital. CNG and electric vehicles have been exempted from this restriction. Vehicle owners travelling to Delhi from other states will need to check their vehicles’ emission standards before beginning their journey.
The government has also announced that parking charges at authorised parking locations will be doubled from November 1 to February 28. Delhi Metro parking facilities will be exempt from the increase. The measure is intended to discourage the use of private vehicles and encourage greater use of public transport.
A 50 per cent work-from-home arrangement has been announced for government and private offices to reduce both pollution and traffic pressure. Office timings will also be staggered. Delhi Municipal Corporation offices will operate from 8:30 am to 5 pm, while Delhi government offices will function from 10 am to 6:30 pm.
The requirement for vehicles to carry a valid pollution-under-control certificate is already being enforced. Vehicles without a valid PUCC may not receive fuel at petrol pumps. The enforcement campaign began on October 1, meaning this measure is not being introduced for the first time on November 1.
Construction-related restrictions will be phased in during the winter period. Dust-generating demolition and open civil construction work will be prohibited from November 1 to January 31. A planned complete ban on construction and demolition activities is scheduled from December 10 to January 20. The restrictions will affect construction sites, contractors and people planning building work during the specified periods.
Under GRAP-1, agencies have been directed to intensify mechanical road sweeping, water sprinkling and dust-control measures. Authorities will also increase checks on construction sites, prevent open waste burning and step up inspections of polluting vehicles. Coal and wood use in tandoors at hotels, restaurants and open eateries will remain prohibited. Diesel generator use will be limited to essential or emergency situations under the applicable rules.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government is working on an 11-point pollution-control plan involving about 30 agencies. The plan includes reducing road dust, promoting electric vehicles and gradually reducing the dependence of industries on polluting fuels. The government also plans to increase the number of air-quality monitoring centres from 47 to 60 and deploy 334 enforcement teams.
The reported restrictions will require coordination between transport authorities, civic agencies, parking operators, offices and construction regulators. The next scheduled milestones are the November 1 start of the vehicle, parking, office and construction measures, followed by the planned full construction and demolition ban from December 10 to January 20.
