Drive Clean or Pay the Scene: Delhi Govt Hits Polluting Cars with ₹20,000 Fines!

To address the escalating air pollution crisis, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has rolled out GRAP III rules in the Delhi-NCR region. These regulations impose a comprehensive ban on most construction and demolition activities, excluding emergency services, government projects, and those of strategic importance. Owners of vehicles adhering to Bharat stage emission standards 3 or 4 are urged to comply with these restrictions.

In response to pollution concerns, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has written to Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, calling for a prohibition on the entry of non-BS-VI compliant vehicles from neighboring states into Delhi-NCR. Rai emphasizes the need for urgent collaboration among the environment ministers of all five states to ensure effective implementation of CAQM directives, citing widespread violations in the entire NCR region.

As per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)-India, Delhi's air quality remains 'severe' for the third consecutive day, with a staggering AQI of 504. The city has already implemented measures such as prohibiting petrol vehicles over 15 years old and diesel vehicles over a decade old in an effort to tackle the air pollution crisis."