Delhi Air Pollution: BS-3 petrol, BS-4 diesel vehicles banned in capital till Friday - Check fine amount for violators, other details

Delhi Air Quality Index, AQI: The Delhi government has imposed a temporary ban on plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the national capital from Tuesday in view of the worsening air quality. The step was deemed necessary after the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi deteriorated well below 400 or "severe" category on Monday inspite of the imposition of stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and a ban on construction works. 

Delhi AQI: BS3, BS4 Car Ban, Penalty, Fine Amount

As per the order issued on Monday, "As per directions as provided under Stage III of the revised GRAP and under Section 115 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is hereby ordered that there shall be restrictions to ply BS-III, Petrol and BS-IV, Diesel LMVs (4-wheelers) in NCT of Delhi, with immediate effect, till dated 12.01.2023 or till downward revision in GRAP stage, whichever is earlier (except for vehicles deployed in emergency services, police vehicles & govt. Vehicles used for enforcement)."

A senior Transport department official was quoted by PTI as saying that the ban would be in place till Friday.

"The ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles will kick in from Tuesday since the air quality has deteriorated to the severe category. We are monitoring the situation along with the Environment department. For now, the ban is likely to be in place till Friday. If the air quality improves, the ban could be lifted before Friday," the official told PTI.

The official stated that those found violating it will be prosecuted under the Motor Vehicles Act.

"If any BS-III, Petrol and BS-IV, Diesel LMV (4-wheeler) found plying on roads will be prosecuted under section 194(1) of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 which provides for a fine of Rs 20,000," the order said.

Delhi AQI Worsens

Some parts of the national capital recorded AQIs over 400 or "severe" on Monday. The AQI at the IGI Airport, Delhi University and Pusa Road were the highest at 438, 415 and 404, respectively, under the "severe" category, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

Dhirpur, Ayanagar and Lodhi Road reported AQIs at 391, 379 and 377, respectively, under the "very poor" category.

SAFAR has predicted that the overall AQI in the national capital will be in the "severe" category on Tuesday.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good'; 51 and 100 'satisfactory'; 101 and 200 'moderate'; 201 and 300 'poor'; 301 and 400 'very poor'; and 401 and 500 'severe'.

Last week, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had ordered a strict ban on construction and demolition activities in the entire national capital region (NCR) and a nine-point action plan as per stage-III of GRAP became applicable with immediate effect.

This was in addition to the preventive and restrictive actions under Stage-I and Stage-II of GRAP, which were already clamped in the capital.

(With Agency Inputs)