Delhi Pollution: Drive without any worries, ban removed from BS3 petrol, BS4 diesel cars, know the reason

Following improvement in air quality in the last few days, Delhi has lifted the ban on BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel cars. The ban on these passenger vehicles, in addition to other commercial vehicles, was implemented under phase three of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to help curb vehicle pollution. Commuters using BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel cars can now drive without any worries in the National Capital Region including Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, and Ghaziabad.

The ban on BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel cars continued in Delhi after the state government held a meeting on November 24 to decide the future course of action given rising pollution in the city. Delhi Traffic Police was asked to strictly enforce the restrictions during this period and check vehicles causing pollution or without valid pollution under control (PUC) certificates. A fine of Rs 20,000 was imposed on vehicle owners found violating the rules. According to recent data shared by the Delhi government, vehicles contribute about 36 percent of the total pollution levels in the national capital.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which is responsible for formulating strategies to tackle pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, met on Tuesday to decide on the restrictions. “Keeping in mind the disruptive nature of the sanctions under Phase-III of GRAP, the GRAP Sub-Committee took this decision unanimously,” it said. The decision was taken considering the significant improvement in the average AQI of Delhi-NCR along with influencing a large number of stakeholders and the public. Cancel Phase-III of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect."

Light rain in the last two days has also helped improve the air quality compared to the severe levels of the previous weeks. Earlier, CAQM had implemented stage four of GRAP when pollution levels were at their highest this season.

The CAQM also said that restrictions under phases one and two of GRAP would continue. The body said these restrictions would remain in place 'to ensure that AQI levels do not go further into the 'severe' category'.

Earlier, the Delhi government had planned to implement the odd-even rule if pollution increases in the city after Diwali. However, it shelved the plans after the Supreme Court termed the move a mere cosmetic without having much impact on pollution levels.

(PC: PTI)