Delhi pollution: Ban on BS 3 petrol, BS 4 diesel cars to remain till Sunday

Curbs on the movement of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in Delhi will remain in place till November 13, officials said after a meeting on Thursday.

The Delhi government's transport department held a review meeting to discuss if the curbs should continue following an improvement in the national capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) in the last few days.

"In the meeting, it was decided that the curbs should remain in place for the next few days and there should be no knee-jerk reaction. We will analyse the situation closely and decide in the next few days, following discussion with officials from the environment department," a department official said.

The 24-hour average AQI in the national capital stood at 295 on Thursday. It was 260 on Wednesday, 372 on Tuesday, 354 on Monday, 339 on Sunday and 381 on Saturday.

With air pollution levels in Delhi improving to the 'poor' category from 'very poor', the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Thursday said it would review the situation on November 11. The Centre's air quality panel may take a call on revoking curbs in place in Delhi-NCR under Stage III (Severe) of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), an official said on condition of anonymity.

"BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi will remain banned under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan," Environment Minister Gopal Rai had said at a press conference on Monday.

In an order on Monday, the transport department had said owners of vehicles found plying in violation of the rule would be prosecuted under the Motor Vehicles Act, which could invite a fine of ₹20,000.

Vehicles deployed for emergency services and government and election-related work do not come under the ban purview.

The transport department said in its order, "As per the directions provided under Stage III of revised GRAP, there will be a restriction to ply BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles (four-wheelers) in the jurisdiction of NCT of Delhi. The above directions will remain enforced till November 13 or downward revision in GRAP stage, whichever is earlier. The restrictions will continue beyond November 13, if CAQM orders GRAP-III and above restrictions."

"If any BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMV is found plying on roads, it will be prosecuted under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988." PTI SLB SZM