GRAP 2 in Delhi: What's allowed; what is not? Which cars, vehicles are banned? Check list before going to office

Delhi-NCR has moved to GRAP Stage II after air quality reached the very poor category, triggering measures to curb pollution. Separately, non-BS-VI petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi are barred from entering the capital until January 31, 2027.

Delhi-NCR has been placed under Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after Delhi's air quality entered the “Very Poor” category, with the air quality index (AQI) touching 324 on November 2. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) brought the measures into force with immediate effect, asking agencies across the region to intensify efforts to curb pollution.

For vehicle owners, it is important to note that the restrictions on older vehicles registered outside Delhi, which came into effect on November 1, are separate from the latest GRAP Stage II measures. The entry restrictions are part of the winter pollution-control measures and continue to apply alongside the GRAP restrictions.

What's not allowed under GRAP Stage II?

The use of diesel generator sets for regular or commercial purposes is restricted, with exemptions for specified emergency and essential services. The burning or use of coal and firewood is also prohibited across Delhi-NCR. Restaurants, hotels and eateries cannot operate tandoors that use coal or firewood as fuel.

Quick answers to key questions

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QUESTIONS

Petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards are barred from entering the capital until January 31, 2027. Electric and CNG vehicles are exempt from this entry restriction.

No. The entry restriction described applies to non-BS-VI petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi. Delhi-registered cars remain subject to other applicable rules, including age-related restrictions and valid PUC requirements.

Yes. BS-VI-compliant, CNG-powered and electric vehicles can continue to operate, subject to applicable traffic and pollution-control rules.

Vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate may face enforcement action, including penalties and possible refusal of fuel at petrol pumps. Keep your certificate valid before travelling.

Buses entering Delhi under the specified permit categories must run on BS-VI diesel, CNG or electricity; Delhi-registered buses are exempt from this particular entry rule. Trucks passing through Delhi to other destinations must use the peripheral expressways.

Construction and demolition sites, as well as industrial units, that have been specifically directed to shut down cannot resume operations. Vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate may face enforcement action, including penalties and possible refusal of fuel at petrol pumps.

Restrictions may also apply to the entry and movement of older or non-compliant interstate commercial and goods vehicles, depending on the applicable emission standards and government notifications.

What's allowed under GRAP Stage II?

Electric vehicles (EVs), CNG-powered vehicles and BS-VI-compliant vehicles can continue to operate, subject to applicable traffic and pollution-control regulations. Vehicles with valid PUC certificates can also ply as per normal traffic rules.

Diesel generator sets may be used for permitted emergency and essential services, including hospitals, healthcare facilities and lifts, in accordance with the applicable exemptions.

Meanwhile, anti-pollution activities such as mechanised road sweeping, regular water sprinkling with dust suppressants and targeted measures at pollution hotspots will continue across Delhi-NCR.

Authorities may also raise parking charges and introduce staggered office timings to discourage private vehicle use and reduce traffic-related emissions.

Which cars and vehicles are banned in Delhi?

The key vehicle restriction currently in force took effect on November 1, ahead of the latest Stage II order. Under this rule, petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards are barred from entering the national capital until January 31, 2027.

Here is what vehicle owners need to know:

The restrictions also require buses entering Delhi under different permit categories, including tourist and contract carriage services, to run on BS-VI diesel, CNG or electricity. Delhi-registered buses are exempt from this particular entry rule. Trucks passing through Delhi to reach other destinations must use the peripheral expressways.

Does this mean Delhi-registered BS-IV petrol and diesel cars are banned?

No, this doesn't mean that Delhi-registered BS-IV petrol and diesel cars are banned. The November 1 restriction specifically targets non-BS-VI petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi. Delhi-registered private cars are not covered by this particular entry ban, although other applicable vehicle rules, including age-related restrictions and valid PUC requirements, continue to apply.

What is BS-VI?

Bharat Stage (BS) emission standards specify the permissible limits for pollutants emitted by new vehicles before they are approved for sale. Vehicle manufacturers must demonstrate compliance through laboratory testing. India transitioned directly from BS-IV to BS-VI norms on April 1, 2020, bypassing the BS-V stage.

Office commuters: What should you check before leaving home?

If you are driving to work in Delhi, keep these points in mind:

1. Check your vehicle's registration state: If your petrol or diesel car is registered outside Delhi and is below BS-VI, it cannot enter the capital under the November 1 restriction.

2. Check the emission standard: BS-VI vehicles are permitted under the entry rule, while electric and CNG vehicles are exempt.

3. Keep your PUC certificate valid: Carry the relevant vehicle documents and ensure your Pollution Under Control Certificate is valid. Vehicles without a valid PUC may face enforcement action.

4. Consider public transport: CAQM has advised commuters to minimise private vehicle use and opt for public transport.

5. Plan for staggered office timings: Delhi and NCR state governments have been advised to stagger the timings of public offices and municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. The Centre may also consider staggered timings for its offices.

About the Author

Garvit Bhirani is a journalist based in Gurugram. He is a Deputy Chief Content Producer at LiveMint, where he covers national and international news stories, focusing on accuracy and compelling storytelling for readers. <br><br> With a total of six years of experience in journalism, he has previously worked with Vaco Binary Semantics for Google, taking on the role of news curation lead, and reported from the field on health, education, and agriculture stories for 101reporters and News9. He has also served as a content editor for entertainment and news media organisations. <br><br> Garvit holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism and mass communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and Gurugram University, respectively. During college days, he joined India’s only non-profit student journalism network, where he anchored daily news updates and produced his own weekly show called ‘Data Fix’. <br><br> He was selected for the YES Foundation Media for Social Change Fellowship in Delhi, the Talking Data to the Fourth Pillar residential workshop, and the VOICE Fellowship in Pune. <br><br> He holds certificates in COVID-19-verification reporting, data journalism, food & agriculture, tech policy, media literacy and countering misinformation, and tackling election disinformation courses from Thomson Foundation, IndiaSpend, The Dialogue, US Mission in India, and AFP. <br><br> He can be reached on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garvit-bhirani">LinkedIn</a> or on <a href="https://x.com/GarvitBhirani">@garvitbhirani</a> on X