The Delhi government, under the directives of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), has recently implemented two major policy changes concerning vehicles to combat air pollution, particularly as winter smog sets in.
Here are the new policies for vehicles:
1. 🚛 Ban on Entry of Older Commercial Goods Vehicles
This is the most significant new restriction, effective from November 1, 2025. It targets non-Delhi registered commercial traffic to reduce high vehicular emissions.
| Vehicle Type | Status on Entry into Delhi (from Nov 1, 2025) | Expiration |
| Non-Delhi Registered BS-III & Older Commercial Goods Vehicles | Entry Banned | Immediate |
| Non-Delhi Registered BS-IV Commercial Goods Vehicles | Entry Allowed (Transitional Period) | October 31, 2026 |
| All BS-VI Commercial Goods Vehicles (Any State) | Entry Allowed | No Restriction |
| Commercial Goods Vehicles running on CNG/LNG/Electric (Any State) | Entry Allowed | No Restriction |
| Commercial Goods Vehicles Registered in Delhi (Any Fuel/Emission Norm) | Entry Allowed | No Restriction |
Enforcement: 23 enforcement teams from the Transport Department and Traffic Police have been deployed at major border points to check and turn back non-compliant vehicles.
Anticipated Impact: Transport associations have expressed concerns that the ban, especially on smaller, older trucks used for last-mile delivery, could lead to disruptions in the supply chain for essential goods like vegetables and fruits, potentially causing a spike in prices for consumers.
2. 📝 Relaxation on NOC for Overage Vehicles
The Delhi government has made a move to provide relief to owners of older private vehicles while still ensuring they are moved out of the city, which aligns with the Supreme Court's ban on old diesel and petrol vehicles.
Policy Change: The government has removed the one-year time limit for obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for deregistered vehicles.
What this means:
Owners of 10-year-old diesel cars and 15-year-old petrol cars that have been automatically deregistered can now apply for an NOC at any time.
This NOC allows them to re-register and use the vehicle in another state where the local rules permit.
Objective: This decision offers owners the flexibility to legally sell or relocate their older vehicles instead of being forced to scrap them prematurely, thereby systematically phasing out older, polluting vehicles from the National Capital Region.
The new entry ban on commercial vehicles is an emergency measure implemented under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which imposes various restrictions depending on the severity of the Air Quality Index (AQI).