Delhi Minister Manjinder Sirsa apologises for ban on non-BS VI vehicles

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Thursday apologised to the residents of NCR for the inconvenience caused by the restrictions imposed on the entry of non-BS VI vehicles into the national capital. He made this statement during a press conference held at the Integrated Command and Control Centre in Shastri Park.

Minister Sirsa stated that he had been watching videos on social media showing vehicles being turned back at the city borders. He said, "I apologise to the residents of NCR for the inconvenience caused. However, these restrictions were necessary to control pollution levels. This is for the health of your children. Please think about your children." He further emphasised that this strict step has been taken keeping the welfare of the people in mind.

The Minister added that the government would not have taken such a decision if this step were not inevitable. He made a humble request to the residents of NCR not to bring their non-BS VI vehicles into Delhi. He said, "Delhi is your city too, and you also have a role to play in it."

According to a Hindustan Times report, these restrictions are part of the Delhi government's Winter Action Plan. These rules came into effect from November 1 and will continue until January 31, 2027. These restrictions apply to vehicles registered outside Delhi that are below BS-VI standards, though CNG and electric vehicles have been exempted from this ban.

Strict action is being taken against vehicles violating the rules. On Wednesday, 10,019 vehicles were caught, bringing the total number of vehicles acted upon since November 1 to 45,601.

Meanwhile, Delhi's air remained in the "very poor" category for the fourth consecutive day, with the city shrouded in thick smog. On Thursday morning at 7.05 am, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 368. The 24-hour average AQI on Wednesday was 377, while it was 350 on Tuesday and 324 on Monday. Notably, last Friday the city's AQI was 60, which was in the "satisfactory" category and the cleanest October day in the last four years.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) criteria, 0-50 AQI falls under "good", 51-100 "satisfactory", 101-200 "moderate", 201-300 "poor", 301-400 "very poor", and 401-500 "severe". Out of the city's 59 reporting stations, AQI was recorded in the "severe" category at 18 stations, "very poor" at 36 stations, and "poor" at 5 stations.

According to CPCB data at 7 am, PM2.5 was the primary pollutant at 53 out of 59 stations, while PM10 was recorded at the remaining six stations. A day prior, these numbers were 54 and five respectively.