57% Delhi-NCR Residents Rate Non-BS VI Vehicle Curbs Poorly

Around 57 per cent of respondents in Delhi-NCR rated the enforcement of restrictions on non-BS VI vehicles entering the national capital as either “poor” or “very poor”, according to a LocalCircles survey released after the new pollution-control rules came into force.

The survey analysed 18,243 responses from residents of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad. Respondents cited inadequate planning, traffic congestion and insufficient advance communication among their concerns.

43% Rate Enforcement ‘Very Poor’

According to the survey, 43 per cent of respondents described implementation as “very poor”.

They said the restrictions had been introduced without adequate planning and had contributed to major traffic disruption and inconvenience.

Another 14 per cent rated enforcement as “poor”, while 14 per cent described it as average.

Only 7 per cent rated implementation as good and 8 per cent as very good. A further 14 per cent said they could not give a clear assessment.

Non-BS VI Vehicles Barred Until January 31

Delhi's restrictions came into effect on November 1, 2026, and are scheduled to remain in force until January 31, 2027.

Under the rules, petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS VI emission standards are prohibited from entering the capital.

BS VI-compliant vehicles, CNG vehicles, electric vehicles and officially exempted categories are permitted, subject to applicable pollution-control requirements.

BS III and BS IV Vehicles Among Those Affected

The Delhi non-BS VI vehicle restrictions affect older petrol and diesel vehicles, including many BS III and BS IV cars and commercial vehicles registered in neighbouring NCR cities.

Vehicles travelling through Delhi to destinations elsewhere have been advised to use the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways or other alternative routes.

More Than 10 Lakh Vehicles Could Be Affected

Transport department estimates cited by LocalCircles suggest that more than 10 lakh non-BS VI vehicles registered in Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad could be affected by the restrictions.

A broader analysis by The Indian Express estimated that around 48 lakh pre-BS VI vehicles are registered across NCR districts adjoining Delhi, although many of these are two-wheelers and not all necessarily enter Delhi regularly.

Long Traffic Queues Reported at Delhi Borders

The rollout led to significant traffic congestion at several entry points as police and transport officials began checking vehicles for registration details, emission standards and Pollution Under Control certificates.

Authorities in Gurugram and Noida deployed special teams at key border crossings, while Delhi enforcement involved Traffic Police, Transport Department personnel and local police.

Reports described particularly heavy congestion near the Sirhaul border and NH-48 corridor, where checks contributed to long queues as commuters adjusted to the new rules.

Delhi Says Curbs Are Part of Winter Pollution Plan

The restrictions form part of Delhi's broader winter pollution-control measures.

The Delhi government has introduced a permanent Winter Pollution Master Plan that applies each year from November through February, incorporating revised Graded Response Action Plan measures and other pollution-control requirements.

The government says restricting older out-of-state vehicles is intended to reduce vehicular emissions during the period when Delhi's air quality typically deteriorates.

Earlier Survey Showed Wider Concerns Over Pollution Strategy

Before the restrictions began, another LocalCircles survey found that 87 per cent of respondents wanted stronger action on other sources of pollution before or alongside the vehicle curbs.

Respondents identified construction dust, road dust, waste burning and industrial pollution among areas requiring stronger enforcement.

Survey Reflects Respondents’ Experience

The latest findings indicate substantial dissatisfaction among the people who participated in the survey over how the restrictions were implemented.

However, because LocalCircles conducts opt-in online surveys, the percentages should be understood as the views of participating respondents rather than a statistically representative measure of every Delhi-NCR resident.

The Delhi non-BS VI vehicle restrictions remain in force as authorities continue border checks and pollution-control enforcement through the winter period.