Delhi’s BS-IV entry ban may disrupt NCR commuters and businesses, traders warn

Delhi’s decision to ban vehicles registered outside the capital that do not meet BS-VI emission standards from entering the city from November 1 could inconvenience thousands of daily commuters and create challenges for businesses dependent on workers, customers and commercial movement from neighbouring National Capital Region (NCR) cities.

For businesses in the capital, the impact could extend beyond vehicle owners to employees commuting from Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and other NCR areas. Traders and industry representatives said that while people have gradually become accustomed to seasonal pollution restrictions, the latest move could still create difficulties for those unable to replace their vehicles or arrange alternative transport.

The restriction, which will remain in force until January 31, 2027, is part of the Delhi government’s winter pollution action plan. It will affect petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi that meet BS-IV or lower emission standards, while electric and CNG vehicles are exempt.

The government has also announced measures including a “No PUC, No Fuel” policy, restrictions on dust-generating construction activities and work-from-home arrangements for 50 per cent of employees in government and private offices.

Anil Bharadwaj of the Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME) said residents of the NCR had increasingly begun preparing for winter restrictions, which have become a recurring feature of life in the region.

“People living in the NCR region have got used to this idea that ultimately when November comes, November to February, there are going to be a number of restrictions,” he said, adding that industries and commuters were gradually factoring the measures into their plans.

Bharadwaj said the growing availability of electric vehicles and other alternatives could help limit the disruption. However, he acknowledged that individuals who own BS-IV or older vehicles and cannot afford to replace them would face difficulties.

“Because electric vehicles have become quite popular and are easily available, I don’t see any major issue,” he said. “But some individuals will definitely be impacted.” Atul Bhardwaj of the New Delhi Traders Association, however, said the restrictions would have a direct bearing on both business activity and the daily movement of people into the capital.

He acknowledged the pollution-control objective but questioned whether restricting vehicles based on emission standards, without adequately addressing the underlying sources of pollution, would be sufficient. “There are two ways to look at it.

One is the positive side, keep the pollution less, control. The other is the negative side, the business impacted,” he said. Bhardwaj pointed out that some owners have older vehicles that have covered relatively few kilometres and remain usable.

He cited acquaintances whose cars were more than 15 years old but had travelled only around 15,000–20,000 km, arguing that the restrictions could inconvenience owners who had limited use for their vehicles. “Everybody can’t afford to keep on changing cars regularly,” he said.

He argued that the government should identify the principal sources of pollution and target the vehicles that contribute to the problem, rather than relying solely on broad restrictions. While supporting stricter controls on polluting vehicles, he said the measures should be assessed for their effectiveness and their impact on people who rely on their cars to reach workplaces and conduct business.

Bhardwaj suggested that the restrictions be implemented initially on a trial basis for a week to 10 days, with the government assessing whether they deliver the intended results before deciding whether to continue them. “Let them try it for one week, 10 days.

If it is successful, continue, and if it is not successful, then they should drop it,” he said. He also called for greater consultation with traders and other affected stakeholders before the introduction of such measures.

“Businesses and commuters have practical experience of how restrictions affect movement and economic activity, and their suggestions could help authorities design more workable policies,” he said.