📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Automobile
Delhi bans BS‑IV cars in winter, pushes BS‑VI vehicles for cleaner air
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 01 Nov 2026, 07:16 PM
👁 17
From December, Delhi will prohibit BS‑IV vehicles from entering the city during winter, accelerating the shift to BS‑VI compliant cars that emit far less pollutants.
The Delhi government announced that, starting this winter, all BS‑IV diesel and petrol vehicles will be barred from entering the National Capital Region during peak pollution hours. The move aligns with the nationwide rollout of BS‑VI emission standards, which are now mandatory for all new vehicles sold in India.
Under the BS‑VI norm, manufacturers must fit advanced after‑treatment technologies such as selective catalytic reduction and diesel particulate filters. These upgrades cut nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by roughly 20 % and particulate matter (PM) by up to 70 % compared with the older BS‑IV standard.
The entry curbs will be enforced through a combination of automated number‑plate recognition and on‑ground checks at city entry points. Vehicles that fail to meet BS‑VI criteria will be fined and directed to exit the city. Authorities say the restriction is expected to reduce Delhi’s winter smog levels and improve public health.
Industry analysts note that the policy accelerates the transition to cleaner fleets, but also raises concerns for owners of older cars who may face higher costs to upgrade or replace their vehicles. The government has urged affected motorists to consider retrofitting or switching to BS‑VI models before the curbs take effect.
Under the BS‑VI norm, manufacturers must fit advanced after‑treatment technologies such as selective catalytic reduction and diesel particulate filters. These upgrades cut nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by roughly 20 % and particulate matter (PM) by up to 70 % compared with the older BS‑IV standard.
The entry curbs will be enforced through a combination of automated number‑plate recognition and on‑ground checks at city entry points. Vehicles that fail to meet BS‑VI criteria will be fined and directed to exit the city. Authorities say the restriction is expected to reduce Delhi’s winter smog levels and improve public health.
Industry analysts note that the policy accelerates the transition to cleaner fleets, but also raises concerns for owners of older cars who may face higher costs to upgrade or replace their vehicles. The government has urged affected motorists to consider retrofitting or switching to BS‑VI models before the curbs take effect.