Delhi Pollution Live Updates: Chaos at key checkpoints as travel ban kicks in, commuters complain

Verma said that if even half of these works had been completed earlier, the current government would only have needed to finish the remaining tasks. However, he alleged that not a single project was completed and claimed that less than five per cent of the planned works had been executed before the BJP government began its efforts.

Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Verma outlined several civic and environmental initiatives that he said should have been completed over the past decade. These include clearing garbage dumps, repairing footpaths and parks, managing e-waste and plastic waste, cleaning the Yamuna, maintaining drains, sewage treatment plants and water treatment facilities, road cleaning, and implementing an electric vehicle policy.

Delhi Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma on Thursday said the BJP-led government is addressing pollution and civic challenges inherited from the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration headed by Arvind Kejriwal. He claimed the problems confronting the national capital are the outcome of "11 years of neglect" by the AAP.

The Delhi Petrol Dealers' Association (DPDA) has highlighted several challenges in implementing the Delhi government's directive that bars the sale of fuel to vehicles lacking a valid emission or pollution under control (PUC) certificate.

While expressing "whole-hearted support" for the government's efforts to tackle air pollution, the association said extraordinary measures are necessary but warned that effective enforcement of the order would be "extremely difficult and arduous" unless key operational issues are addressed.

The DPDA also pointed out that Delhi's air quality is significantly impacted by transboundary pollution, arguing that residents suffer more from pollution originating outside the city than from local sources.

According to the association, steps limited only to the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi are unlikely to deliver the desired results unless similar measures are implemented uniformly across the entire National Capital Region (NCR).

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Wednesday withdrew the protection from coercive action that had been extended to BS-III and older vehicles operating in the national capital.

Teams from the Delhi Traffic Police and the transport department will be deployed at city borders and petrol pumps from Thursday to strictly enforce the vehicle restrictions.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said vehicles below the BS-VI emission standard and registered outside Delhi will not be allowed to enter the city when GRAP Stages 3 and 4 are in place. However, a final order issued on Wednesday clarified that the restriction will apply only during Stage 4.

The fresh steps are in addition to the Stage 4 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management after Delhi recorded 'severe' air quality levels for three consecutive days beginning December 13. Although air quality has improved since then, the AQI continues to remain in the 'very poor' category.

The advisories come as the Delhi government rolled out additional measures to curb air pollution. These include shifting offices to a hybrid work model, restricting the entry of certain vehicles into the city and making a valid pollution under control (PUC) certificate mandatory.

Dense fog and low visibility across Delhi and large parts of north India on Thursday morning led several airlines, including SpiceJet, Air India and IndiGo, to issue travel advisories. Passengers were asked to check the status of their flights before leaving for the airport.

According to data from the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), general visibility in Delhi had dropped to just 100 metres by Thursday morning, while the temperature stood at 10 degrees Celsius.

Large parts of the capital were blanketed by a dense layer of toxic smog, significantly reducing visibility and causing discomfort for residents. RK Puram was shrouded in thick smog, with an AQI of 374, placing it in the 'very poor' category, according to CPCB.

* Random vehicle checking at borders

* RFID cameras installed at 13 key borders

* Trucks carrying construction material to be seized

* MCD toll operators to return non-compliant vehicles at borders

* Neighbouring states police to stop non-BS VI vehicles entry to Delhi

Petrol dealers' body DPDA has flagged several challenges in implementing the Delhi government's order barring fuel sell to vehicles without valid emission check certificates. Vehicles without a valid pollution under control certificate (PUC) will not be provided fuel at petrol pumps in the national capital from Thursday, as the Delhi government's stringent "no PUC, no fuel" rule and a ban on the entry of all private non-Delhi vehicles below BS VI standards come into effect.

GRAP Stage-IV is the most severe level of pollution control and is enforced when the Air Quality Index (AQI) crosses 450. At present, all four stages of GRAP are active across Delhi-NCR due to hazardous air quality levels.

Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday announced that his government is planning to launch its own carpooling app to curb rising vehicular pollution in the national capital. The proposed carpooling app will allow users to offer rides or join others travelling in the same direction. “Many people want to avoid using personal vehicles but don’t know how to connect with others. This app will help them find fellow commuters easily,” Sirsa said.

To check violations, around 580 police personnel will be deployed at 126 checkpoints across the city, including entry points at Delhi’s borders. Thirty-seven special “Prakhar” enforcement vans will also be on the roads to check violations.

A total of 993 buses and trucks that failed to meet the norms have been stopped from entering Delhi till December 14.

Nearly 20,000 vehicles exceeding the age limit-over 10 years for diesel and more than 15 years for petrol-have been impounded.

Delhi Traffic Police data on Wednesday morning showed that more than eight lakh vehicles have been fined for lacking a valid PUC certificate.

Checks at Delhi's entry points have been stepped up, with multiple inspection teams deployed to ensure strict compliance with the rules.

The policy covers both private and commercial vehicles registered in adjoining states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Delhi has over 650 petrol pumps, with each outlet catering to roughly 5,000-6,000 customers every day.

Despite the rollout, petrol pump owners have expressed confusion over the new rules and have sought a meeting with the environment minister. Sources said dealers fear it may be impractical to check PUC certificates for every vehicle and could lead to operational disruptions and confrontations with motorists.

Delhi has already deployed automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at fuel stations. These systems will identify vehicles that do not meet BS4 standards or lack valid PUC certification, aiding enforcement of the new restrictions.

Vehicle owners were given a one-day window to comply with Pollution Under Control (PUC) norms. From today, vehicles without a valid PUC certificate will not be allowed to refuel at petrol pumps across Delhi, the minister said.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the curbs are being implemented under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), specifically during stages III and IV, which are triggered when air quality deteriorates sharply. The measures aim to reduce vehicular emissions and improve air quality.

Good morning and welcome to Moneycontrol. Delhi has begun enforcing its new vehicle restrictions today, allowing only BS4-compliant vehicles from outside the city to enter the national capital. The move is part of emergency steps to tackle rising air pollution during the winter season.