During a hearing on Delhi's pollution crisis, the Supreme Court allowed the CAQM to ease restrictions, directing them to implement Stage 2 of the GRAP measures carefully. New Delhi: The BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel vehicle ban has been lifted in Delhi after the Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to the moderate category. The Supreme Court allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to ease restrictions due to the improvement in the national capital's air pollution situation. Delhi had been facing high pollution levels, which led CAQM to enforce Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The court has now asked the commission to apply GRAP Stage 2.
The ban on BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles in Delhi started on November 15 when the CAQM raised GRAP measures to Stage 3. Under this rule, private vehicles with older emissions norms like BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel, along with diesel commercial vehicles, were not allowed to run on the roads. EVs, CNG vehicles, and vehicles used for essential services were exempt from the ban. Last week, the CAQM relaxed the ban slightly, allowing only commuters with disabilities to use these vehicles under Stage 4.
During a hearing on Delhi's pollution crisis, the Supreme Court allowed the CAQM to ease restrictions, directing them to implement Stage 2 of the GRAP measures carefully. The court also suggested that some restrictions from Stage 3 be kept in place during Stage 2. The CAQM confirmed that the restrictions have now been reduced to Stage 2, which no longer bans private BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel cars. However, vehicle owners should carry a valid Pollution Under Control certificate, or they may face a INR 10,000 fine.
Earlier, diesel-powered medium and heavy goods vehicles (BS-IV or lower) were also banned, except for essential services, and non-essential light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi were restricted. Violating the previous ban by using BS-3 petrol or BS-4 diesel vehicles could result in a INR 20,000 traffic fine.
