The Delhi government has issued a notification stating that the entry of buses, excluding CNG, BSVI diesel, and electric ones, will be regulated if the final stage (GRAP IV) of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is invoked. This move aims to curb air pollution in the national capital.
Delhi to Regulate Entry of Buses from Other States Based on Air Quality
If GRAP IV is implemented, all buses, including All India Tourist buses, Contract Carriage buses, State Transport Buses, or those with any other type of permit from other states, except CNG, Electric, or BSVI diesel buses, will face restrictions. The regulations will automatically come into effect when GRAP IV is invoked and will be lifted when GRAP IV is revoked.
In the previous month, the Delhi government directed that buses entering Delhi from Haryana must run on electricity, CNG, or BS-VI diesel. Similar norms were applied to buses entering from the NCR regions of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The transport department emphasized that only buses meeting these criteria would be allowed entry into Delhi from July 1.
Bus Entry Restrictions
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Area had previously recommended revoking emergency measures, which permitted only CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states to enter Delhi. However, exemptions were granted to vehicles involved in essential services.
The air quality in Delhi deteriorated, reaching the very poor category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 394 recorded at 9:05 am on Wednesday. The GRAP categorizes air quality into four stages: Stage I (poor), Stage II (very poor), Stage III (severe), and Stage IV (severe). The measures announced align with the ongoing efforts to address and mitigate air pollution in the region.
