Ban on transport buses in Delhi could return with GRAP-4 restrictions: Details

As Delhi pollution levels continue to remain high, the Delhi government has issued a new notification stating that the entry of buses into the capital will be regulated, excluding those powered by CNG, BSVI diesel, or electricity, if final stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is put into affect once more. GRAP-4 signifies the conclusive phase of air pollution control measures.”Entry of all buses, including All India Tourist buses/ Contract Carriage buses/ State Transport Buses or holding any other kind of permit into Delhi from other states except CNG / Electric or BSVI diesel buses will be restricted as and when GRAP IV invokes.” a PTI report attributed the statement to an official gazzette notification issued by Delhi government.
The imposed restrictions automatically apply when GRAP-4 is invoked, starting from the date of the order’s issuance in the Delhi Gazette. If GRAP-4 is revoked, these restrictions terminate automatically, without the need for a separate order, as clarified in the notification.

Last month, the Delhi government mandated that buses entering the national capital from Haryana must run on electricity, CNG, or BS-VI diesel. Similar norms apply to buses entering from NCR regions in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
However, after a two-week imposition of GRAP-4 restrictions, the government had lifted them on November 19, when AQI levels improved slightly. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Area, responsible for devising pollution combat strategies, directed Delhi and NCR states on November 18 to revoke emergency measures. These measures allowed only CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states to enter Delhi, with exemptions for essential services.
On November 22 morning, the city’s air quality worsened, recording in the very poor category with an Air Quality Index of 394 at 9.05 am, up from 365 on November 21.