Delhi govt bans plying of BS-III petrol, BS-IV diesel four-wheelers

The Delhi government banned the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the city on Monday, citing limitations imposed by the Centre's air quality panel under stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

The GRAP implementation sub-committee met on Sunday to review the regional air quality scenario, as well as forecasts for meteorological conditions and the Delhi air quality index, as air pollution became severe.

"As per the directions provided under Stage III of the revised GRAP and Section 115 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, it is hereby ordered that there shall be restrictions to ply BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs (four-wheelers) in NCT of Delhi with immediate effect until December 9 or until downward revision in GRAP stage, whichever one is earlier," said a transport dept command.


Vehicles used for emergency services, government, or election purposes are exempt. "Any BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMV four-wheeler found on the roads will be prosecuted under Section 194 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, which provides for a Rs 20,000 fine," the order stated.

After November 4, when the AQI was 447, Delhi's pollution level entered the'severe' category. An AQI of 201 to 300 is considered 'poor,' 301 to 400'very poor,' and 401 to 500'severe.'