Delhi to restrict bus entry from other states if GRAP Stage IV invoked

Delhi government to regulate bus entry from other states as air pollution rises in the Capital. Under Stage IV, entry will be granted to only BS6 diesel, CNG and electric buses.

The Government of Delhi announced that bus entry from other states is going to be regulated if restrictions are invoked under the final stage of the Centre’s air pollution control plan. Only BS6 diesel, CNG and electric buses will be permitted to enter Delhi if air quality enters Stage - IV of GRAP.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the National Capital Region (NCR) is an initiative by the Indian government to reduce air pollution. The air quality under the GRAP is classified under 4 main stages including Stage - I ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300), Stage - II ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400), Stage - III ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450), Stage - IV ‘Severe +’ (AQI > 450).

Restrictions are placed when air quality drops. Stage IV represents the worst air quality and the Delhi government is doing everything in its control to not reach this stage.

On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index in Delhi was 365 indicating a Stage - III air quality. The very next day on Wednesday the quality worsened even further with a reported 394 AQI at 9.05 am.

The official gazette notification said, "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.

The above-mentioned restrictions shall stand automatically applicable, as and when GRAP - IV is invoked from the date of issuance of this order in Delhi Gazette, and if the GRAP IV is revoked the said restrictions stand terminated automatically, and no separate order will be issued.”

Just last month, the Delhi government issued a notice that all the buses entering Delhi from Haryana will have to be BS6-compliant diesel, CNG or electric buses. On November 18 the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) also asked Delhi and NCR states to revoke all emergency measures meaning only CNG, electric and BS6 diesel vehicles are allowed entry.