In a major step toward curbing vehicular pollution, the Delhi government has enforced a ban on the entry of commercial goods vehicles that fail to meet BS-IV emission standards, beginning Saturday. To implement the restriction, joint enforcement teams of the Transport Department and Delhi Traffic Police have been deployed across the National Capital Region (NCR).

Officials confirmed that 23 enforcement units have been formed to monitor the inflow of vehicles at key border points. “We have prepared a strategy to check all incoming vehicles. About 90 per cent of commercial vehicles enter through 23 major entry points. Teams comprising Traffic Police personnel and Transport Department officers will be stationed at these locations. Any vehicle not meeting BS-IV standards will be sent back,” a senior Transport Department official said.

The major checkpoints include Kundli, Rajokri, Tikri, Aya Nagar, Kalindi Kunj, Auchandi, Mandoli, Kapashera, and Bajghera Toll on the Dwarka Expressway, among others. Each enforcement unit will be led by an inspector-level officer to ensure strict compliance.

Authorities estimate that between 50,000 and 70,000 commercial vehicles currently operating in and around Delhi fall short of the BS-IV standard. However, exact figures are still awaited from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

To maintain uninterrupted monitoring, the enforcement drive will be carried out in two 12-hour shifts — from 8 am to 8 pm, and from 8 pm to 8 am.

According to the new rules, commercial vehicles meeting BS-IV diesel norms will be allowed to enter Delhi until October 31, 2026, as part of a phased transition plan. Vehicles registered in Delhi, BS-VI diesel vehicles, and those running on CNG, LNG, or electricity will continue to operate without restrictions.

The move follows the October 17 directive from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which approved a broader ban on polluting commercial vehicles entering Delhi starting November 1, in view of rising air pollution levels.

A senior Traffic Police officer said that coordination with Haryana Police has been strengthened, as a majority of heavy vehicles enter Delhi from Gurugram. “Joint teams will be deployed at over 120 checkpoints to stop BS-I, BS-II, and BS-III vehicles from entering the capital,” he added.

Transporters, however, have expressed concern about the potential economic impact. Rajendra Kapoor, a logistics operator, said, “These restrictions could push up prices of essential goods and burden consumers. The government should focus on long-term pollution control solutions instead of just limiting vehicle movement.”