KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Rising pollution leads to GRAP 3 norms being enforced across Delhi NCR
- Older petrol and diesel vehicles banned temporarily
- Emergency services and certain other vehicles to remain exempted
Delhi-NCR has officially entered the 'Severe' air quality category, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to enforce Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). As part of the new measures, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel car ban returns in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad until air quality improves. The directive will remain in force until AQI levels drop below 400 for a sustained period. Read on to find out more details on this development, but before that, make sure to join the 91wheels WhatsApp Community, specifically curated for petrolheads like us to keep up with the latest news and automotive updates.
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Why The BS3 Petrol & BS4 Diesel Car Ban
The air quality index across Delhi-NCR breached the 400 mark for the first time this season, registering an alarming 425 average AQI across monitoring stations. Localities like Bawana (462), RK Puram (446), and Alipur (442) recorded some of the highest readings. This surge automatically activated Stage III measures under GRAP, which include restrictions on older emission-standard vehicles, non-essential construction, and diesel-powered machinery, marking the return of older petrol and disel car ban.
Under the new enforcement, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers are temporarily barred from public roads across the NCR. BS-III norms were first introduced in 2010 followed by BS-IV vehicles, which became mandatory in 2017, and all diesel cars sold before April 2020 fall under this category. Owners caught using these restricted vehicles during the ban period can face penalties of up to Rs. 20,000. However, cars operated by persons with disabilities are exempt from this restriction.
Other Restrictions Under GRAP Stage III
To curb emissions from multiple sources, GRAP Stage III also enforces:
- Complete halt on non-essential construction and demolition work.
- Ban on diesel generator sets (except for hospitals, defence, and emergency services).
- Restrictions on non-CNG or non-BS-VI inter-state buses entering Delhi.
- Suspension of stone crushers, mining, and hot-mix plants operating on non-clean fuels.
- Advisory for private firms to adopt work-from-home or hybrid setups to reduce vehicular traffic.
- Closure of schools up to Class 5, shifting younger students to online classes to limit exposure.
What Is GRAP & How It Works
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a pre-defined framework to manage Delhi-NCR's air quality through four escalating stages:
- Stage 1 - Poor (AQI 201-300)
- Stage 2 - Very Poor (AQI 301-400)
- Stage 3 - Severe (AQI 401-450)
- Stage 4 - Severe Plus (AQI >450)
Stage III represents a critical phase, where both vehicular and construction-related restrictions are applied to bring immediate relief from toxic pollution levels.
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Official Data On Air Quality Trends
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Delhi's average AQI from January 1 to November 9, 2025, stood at 175, showing a marginal improvement over 189 during the same period in 2024. PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations also saw a year-on-year dip, but the city continues to face severe short-term pollution spikes during winter.
The Delhi Traffic Police and state pollution control boards have begun joint drives to identify and fine violators under GRAP Stage III. Using a BS-III petrol or BS-IV diesel vehicle within NCR limits can attract a fine up to Rs 20,000 under the Motor Vehicles Act, and repeated violations may lead to temporary vehicle impoundment.
Verdict
While the temporary petrol & diesel car brings inconvenience to many commuters, it is a necessary intervention to counter Delhi's worsening smog crisis. Residents are urged to opt for public transport, carpooling, or cleaner mobility options during this phase. With consistent enforcement and favourable weather conditions, authorities hope to roll back GRAP Stage III once AQI levels stay below 400. Delhi's fight against pollution demands collective responsibility and adhering to these temporary measures is one step toward a breathable tomorrow.
