New Delhi:

Under the new rules, from November 1, 2026, only BS-VI diesel, CNG, or electric buses will be allowed into Delhi if they are operating under specific permits, such as school, institutional, contract carriage, or tourist permits. However, stricter deadlines will apply to certain sectors. From January 1 2026, tourist buses and fleets used by app-based cab services and online delivery companies will need to comply with the new standards.

In a major move to clean up Delhi’s choking air, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced strict new rules for commercial and public transport vehicles entering the capital. These changes will take effect from January 2026, with full enforcement in place by November.

Steps necessary to cut down air pollution in Delhi NCR

Delhi continues to battle some of the worst air pollution in the world. The 2024 World Air Quality Report by Swiss company IQAir named Delhi as the world’s second most polluted city. Shockingly, 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat in Assam taking the top spot.

Officials say these steps are necessary to cut down pollution caused by the transport sector, which is one of the biggest contributors to toxic emissions in the city and across the National Capital Region (NCR). Older diesel vehicles, in particular, release high amounts of harmful pollutants, especially during the colder months when the air tends to trap more pollutants.

Only CNG or electric vehicles can be used by delivery & logistic companies

These new directions build upon earlier rules that limited the types of fuels used in intercity buses coming from states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Madhya Pradesh. Those fuel restrictions will remain in place.

From January 1 2026, the CAQM has also ordered that only CNG or electric three-wheelers can be added to the fleets of aggregator, delivery, and logistic companies in the NCR. New two-wheelers and small commercial vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes) must also run on cleaner fuels. Existing petrol and diesel vehicles can continue for now, but new additions must meet the updated standards.

Delhi’s Motor Vehicle Aggregator & Delivery Service Provider Scheme 2023

Another key part of the plan is a ban on all commercial goods vehicles (light, medium, or heavy) that don’t meet BS-VI, CNG, LNG or electric norms, from November 1 2025. Again, this won’t apply to vehicles already registered in Delhi.

To make sure these rules are followed, Delhi’s transport and traffic police will use technologies like automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and RFID systems at major entry points. Other NCR states have been asked to set up online monitoring systems and run awareness campaigns to help people understand the changes.

Delhi had already introduced the Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme in 2023 to push for cleaner transport. Now, CAQM is calling on neighbouring states, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to follow suit, especially in major NCR cities like Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, and Ghaziabad, where commercial fleets are common.

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