The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced a blanket ban on the entry of all commercial goods vehicles and outstation buses into Delhi unless they run on clean fuel in order to combat the worsening air pollution crisis in the capital.
Delhi Banned Entry of Polluting Buses, Goods Vehicles
This Wednesday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directed that no bus should be allowed to enter Delhi from November 1, 2026, unless it runs on clean fuel like CNG, electricity or the latest BS-VI diesel.
In addition to this they have barred the further induction of petrol or diesel-run vehicles in the fleets of aggregators, delivery service providers, and e-commerce logistics operators, effective January 1, 2026
This latest order will be applicable to all the buses which would be entering Delhi, including those operating under All India Tourist Permit, contract carriage, institutional and school bus permits, except those registered in Delhi.
It appears that they have taken the fact that old and polluting buses from other states add to Delhi’s air pollution very seriously this time.
Although cleaner fuel buses are now more common, but saveral buses are still coming into the capital which are using dirty fuel.
A New Timeline For Implementation
Earlier, the commission directed several states including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir to switch to clean fuel buses.
They have given them the timeline till mid-2024 or early 2025 earlier, but many did not comply in time.
This time they have come up with a new timeline i.e. from November 1, 2026, only CNG, electric or BS VI diesel buses will be allowed into Delhi, according to the CAQM.
In this regard, the Delhi’s Transport Department and Traffic Police have been already asked to ensure strict compliance of this direction using automatic number plate recognition system and RFID at border entry points.
Besides Delhi, the other state governments have also been told to inform all bus owners and companies about the new rule well in advance.
