As Delhi continues to battle hazardous air quality levels, authorities have intensified enforcement at the city’s borders, turning away old vehicles that fail to meet emission standards. Drivers of non-compliant vehicles now face a ₹20,000 fine or are simply denied entry into the capital as part of the government’s latest anti-pollution measures.
Teams stationed at multiple border points are using portable monitoring machines that instantly verify a vehicle’s registration details, BS emission norms, and the validity of its Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). Vehicles that do not meet the required standards—especially older diesel and petrol models—are being sent back or penalised on the spot.
The crackdown comes during one of Delhi’s worst air pollution phases, with the Air Quality Index frequently slipping into the “severe” category. Officials say the measure is necessary to reduce vehicular emissions, which remain a major contributor to winter smog in the region.
Authorities have also warned that enforcement will continue round-the-clock, and no exemptions will be given to vehicles that violate the graded response action plan (GRAP) currently in place.
With pollution levels rising and visibility declining, the stricter border control has triggered mixed reactions. While environmental experts have welcomed the move as overdue, some commuters and transporters have raised concerns about delays and lack of awareness regarding the updated entry rules.
The Delhi government maintains that the crackdown is essential to protect public health, especially as winter conditions trap pollutants closer to the ground.
