Delhi To Ban Non-Compliant Commercial Vehicles From November 1

Starting November 1, 2025, only BS-VI compliant, CNG or electric commercial vehicles will be permitted to enter Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced Tuesday, as part of the newly launched Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025. The sweeping anti-pollution initiative includes a range of measures aimed at transforming Delhi into a "clean, green, and healthy" capital. The Environment Ministry has prepared the plan in anticipation of rising air pollution levels ahead of the winter season.

Also Read: Two Ex-Kia India Employees Accused Of Stealing Over 1,000 Engines In Factory Fraud Case

A key aspect of enforcement will be the installation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at all entry points to the city. These will automatically detect and stop end-of-life vehicles, which are a major contributor to urban air pollution. Similar systems will also be deployed at petrol stations to ensure better compliance.

In a major technological push, Delhi is set to experiment with artificial rain through cloud seeding to reduce smog levels. A pilot project has been approved in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. "Delhi will soon witness its first artificial rainfall," said CM Gupta, adding that Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with multiple science organisations are in the pipeline to deploy innovative pollution control technologies.

Also Read: India Requests WTO Talks With US Over Auto Parts Safeguard Measures

To improve the city's green cover, the government will launch the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign on June 5—World Environment Day—with the ambitious goal of planting 70 lakh saplings across Delhi in 2025. Gupta underscored the urgency of acting on Delhi's long-standing air quality crisis, saying, "For years, we have suffered from air pollution. Our mission is clear—Delhi deserves better air."

(With inputs from ANI)