Delhi gears up for pollution curbs from Nov 1; vehicle restrictions, construction ban among measures

New Delhi: With winter setting in, Delhi gears up to enforce a series of measures to curb air pollution from November 1, including restrictions on the entry of certain vehicles, a ban on dust-generating construction activities and a hike in parking charges, as part of the steps taken by the Delhi government to curb pollution in the capital.

An earlier order by the Delhi government's Environment and Forest Department states that vehicles registered outside Delhi and below BS-VI emission standards will not be permitted to ply in the national capital from November 1 to January 31.

Vehicles running on CNG or electricity and emergency vehicles, including ambulances, fire tenders and police vehicles, have been exempted.


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Over 10 lakh vehicles from Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad will be affected by Delhi's decision to prohibit the entry of vehicles below BS-VI emission standards, according to Transport Department estimates.

On the construction front, dust-generating demolition activities and outdoor civil construction work will be prohibited from November 1 to January 31, except for essential public infrastructure projects.

Finishing, plumbing and electrical work within construction sites will be permitted, subject to compliance with dust-control norms.

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Officials further said that between December 20 and January 20, there will be a 'complete' ban on construction and demolition activities, including indoor activities.

The existing parking charges at authorised parking sites will be doubled from November 1 to February 28 to discourage private vehicle use. Parking facilities owned and managed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will remain exempt from the hike, the order said.

New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) officials said they would implement the directions regarding the hike in parking charges in accordance with the official orders.

MCD officials said the direction to hike parking fees was never implemented in the capital despite the civic body being responsible for the majority of parking spaces in the city.

The MCD has cited contractual obligations with private parking operators as one of the reasons for not doubling parking charges under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the last few years, saying the existing agreements do not provide for additional revenue to automatically accrue to the civic body.

The corporation has also flagged the lack of consolidated data on vehicles using its parking facilities, saying it would be difficult to assess the impact of restrictions on older vehicles as the parking lots cater to vehicles registered in Delhi as well as other NCR cities. Vehicle registration records are maintained by the Transport Department, officials said.

The official added that the possibility of doubling parking charges under GRAP measures remained slim this time as well. However, another official said the proposal to increase parking charges is likely to be approved by the competent authority on Monday.

To reduce congestion during peak hours, offices under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will function from 8.30 am to 5 pm, while those under the Delhi government will operate from 10 am to 6.30 pm between November 1 and February 28.

Government and private offices will also be required to ensure that not more than 50 per cent of their staff are physically present between November 1 and January 31, with the remaining employees mandatorily working from home.

Private establishments have also been directed to implement staggered working hours and promote carpooling, ride-sharing and public transport.

Essential and emergency services, including hospitals, fire services, public transport, electricity and water supply, sanitation and disaster management agencies, have been exempted from the work-from-home restrictions.

The order also makes resident welfare associations, housing societies, government and private establishments, and contractors responsible for preventing the open burning of waste, biomass, leaves, garbage and plastic on premises under their control.

Such establishments have been directed to provide adequate heating facilities using electricity or other approved clean fuels to prevent workers from resorting to open burning. Authorities have also been asked to maintain vigilance, including through drone-based surveillance, particularly during the night.

Violations will attract penal action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, including prosecution, environmental compensation and sealing or closure of premises.