Only BS6 goods vehicles can enter Delhi from November
What's the story
The Delhi government has announced a major step in its fight against air pollution. Starting November 1, only BS-VI compliant goods vehicles, as well as those running on CNG and electricity, will be allowed entry into the national capital. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta while launching the Air Pollution Mitigation Action Plan for 2026.
Pollution strategy
The comprehensive action plan for 2026
The newly unveiled plan is a comprehensive, science-based approach to tackle major pollution sources such as vehicular emissions, road dust, construction activities, industrial discharge, and biomass burning. It identifies 11 priority sectors with defined responsibilities and timelines. Gupta said this isn't just a policy announcement but an enforcement-driven campaign backed by resources, technology and strict oversight.
Enforcement measures
Enforcement of 'No PUC, no fuel' rule
The Delhi government is going to enforce the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and digital tracking systems. The authorities are also preparing measures for high-pollution days to reduce emissions. Last year, the government had tried to impose restrictions on the entry of polluting goods vehicles but later deferred it by a year.
Green initiatives
Expansion of public transport and EV charging infrastructure
To reduce dependence on private vehicles, the Delhi government is massively expanding public transport. The bus fleet will be expanded to 13,760 by 2028-29, with a special focus on electric buses. Further, Delhi will also see a push toward electric mobility with plans to set up 32,000 EV charging points in four years.
Pollution control
Tackling congestion and dust pollution
The plan also addresses congestion, a major contributor to pollution, at 62 identified hotspots through infrastructure upgrades and an intelligent traffic management system. Dust pollution will be tackled through large-scale deployment of mechanical road sweepers, water sprinklers and anti-smog guns. These will all be monitored via GPS and centralized dashboards. Construction activities will be tracked using the AI-enabled C&D Portal 2.0.