New Delhi: To combat the seasonal surge in winter air pollution, the Delhi government will ban the entry of all non-BS-VI compliant vehicles registered outside the national capital starting November 1.

The restriction will remain in effect for three months, ending on January 31, 2027.

Estimates from the transport department indicate that over 10 lakh vehicles across the National Capital Region (NCR)—including Noida, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad—do not comply with BS-VI emission guidelines. The upcoming ban is expected to significantly disrupt daily commutes for thousands of people traveling into Delhi from neighboring cities for employment, commerce, and personal reasons.

Data cited in an NDTV report reveals that Gurugram and Faridabad collectively have nearly two lakh non-BS-VI vehicles, with approximately 70% categorised under BS-III and BS-IV standards. Additionally, around 50,000 commercial vehicles operating across these two Haryana districts fail to meet the required emission norms.

The volume of non-compliant vehicles is substantially higher in Uttar Pradesh’s adjacent hubs. Noida and Greater Noida together account for more than four lakh vehicles below BS-VI specifications, over half of which are BS-IV petrol-driven cars. Ghaziabad similarly reports around four lakh non-compliant vehicles, underscoring the massive scale of enforcement confronting border authorities.

The ban, however, carries specific exemptions. Vehicles operating on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or electricity are allowed entry, alongside emergency units such as ambulances, fire engines, and vehicles carrying designated essential goods. Outside-registered vehicles that meet BS-VI standards will also be permitted to cross the border.

Furthermore, this entry ban applies exclusively to non-BS-VI vehicles registered outside Delhi. Vehicles registered within the capital are exempt from this specific directive, though they remain subject to existing local pollution regulations and vehicle-age restrictions.

Ahead of the November 1 rollout, enforcement teams are reinforcing security at key border entry points. Authorities plan to utilise Artificial Intelligence-driven Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to scan registration plates in real time, automatically flagging non-compliant vehicles along major commuter corridors linking Delhi with Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad. Physical checking checkpoints will complement the automated surveillance network. (IANS)