Ban on Diesel Buses in Delhi: Will Your Buses be Affected?

Can your BS-IV bus enter Delhi after the recent ban on diesel buses in Delhi? We have all your questions answered in this article.

Amidst deteriorating air quality in Delhi, starting November 1, 2023, outdated diesel buses failing to meet BS-VI emission norms will be barred from entering Delhi from nearby towns in the National Capital Region (NCR).

This ban on diesel buses in Delhi stems from a directive by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued in July, aiming to gradually phase out buses not meeting the BS-VI benchmark across Delhi-NCR.

In practical terms, only CNG, electric, and BS-VI buses will be permitted to operate within NCR, including travel to and from Delhi.

#WATCH | Air pollution | Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai says, "The entry of diesel buses into Delhi has been stopped from today as per the directions by CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management). 18 teams have been formed for this…It is my request to the state… pic.twitter.com/eCya6DHB4b

— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2023

To ensure compliance with the ban on diesel buses in Delhi, the transport department has deployed 78 teams at the capital’s border points and each inter-state bus terminus (ISBT) in the city.

On the initial day of implementation, 69 diesel-run Haryana Roadways buses were intercepted and prevented from entering Delhi for failing to meet BSVI standards. These buses were instructed to return to their respective depots without taking on passengers.

What does this directive imply for bus operators in the region? Will all BS-III and BS-IV buses face restrictions in entering Delhi?

The answer is – No, the ban on diesel buses in Delhi does not encompass all BS-III and BS-IV buses.

Let’s delve into the specifics.

Directive from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) regarding the Ban on Diesel Buses in Delhi.

To achieve environmentally sustainable public transport services in Delhi and the NCR, the CAQM conducted a series of deliberations with the NCR States to establish comprehensive plans for transitioning to cleaner bus services.

The primary focus of this deliberations lies in targeting the following:

• Electric vehicles (EVs) for long-term adoption
• EVs and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in the medium-term
• EVs, CNG, and BS-VI compliant diesel buses in the interim.

To achieve this vision, the CAQM, through Directive No. 78 dated 19.07.2023, has instructed the State Governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to strictly adhere to the directed timelines concerning inter-city/inter-state bus services serving Delhi and other cities/towns in the NCR:

The directives along with their concerned timelines are as follows:

Haryana

• All bus services between any city/town in the State of Haryana and Delhi shall be operated only through EV/CNG/BS-VI Diesel buses with effect from 01.11.2023.

Rajasthan

• All bus services between any NCR city/town in the State of Rajasthan and Delhi NCR shall be operated only through EV/CNG/BSVI Diesel buses w.e.f 01.11.2023.
• All bus services from non-NCR areas of Rajasthan to Delhi shall also be ensured through EV/CNG/BS-VI Diesel buses w.e.f 01.01.2024.

Uttar Pradesh

• All bus services between any NCR city/town in the state of Uttar Pradesh and Delhi shall be operated only through EV/CNG/BS-VI Diesel buses w.e.f 01.11.2023.
• All bus services between any NCR city/town in the state of Uttar Pradesh and Delhi shall be operated only through EV/CNG/BS-VI Diesel buses w.e.f 01.11.2023.
• All the bus services plying within the 8 NCR districts of UP, shall also be through BS-VI Diesel compliant buses w.e.f. 01.04.2024.

You can download the latest directive of the CAQM here.

This essentially means that the ban on BS-IV buses applies exclusively to buses operating between Delhi and the cities and towns of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan that fall within the National Capital Region (NCR).

Towards greener public transport, bulk of bus services from any city/ town in the States of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) to Delhi shall be only with EV/ CNG/ BS-VI Diesel buses w.e.f. 01.11.2023.
Contd. (1/3)

— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) October 20, 2023

Can Non BS-VI Compliant Private Buses Enter Delhi?

As you are aware by now, the ban on older diesel buses in Delhi is only specific to bus services to and from the NCR regions of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.

The ban on diesel buses in Delhi will not impede private buses with an All India Tourist Permit from operating to and from Delhi from these three states, or any other states.

“The ban on BS-III and BS-IV diesel buses is specifically for buses operating within the NCR region from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. This applies to all bus services run by State Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) as well as private operators,” states Som Luthra, President, Delhi Contract Bus Association.

“Additionally, this restriction only affects buses operating with stage carriage permits, contract carriage permits, or interstate permits. It does not apply to buses operating with an All India Tourist Permit. For instance, if you run buses from Jodhpur to Delhi or from Lucknow to Delhi with an AITP, you can enter Delhi without any issues,” he emphasizes.

Supporting Mr. Luthra’s standpoint, Sitender Singh, Managing Director, BT Travels, underscores that the ban on diesel vehicles in Delhi doesn’t extend to buses operating under an AITP.

“The ban on diesel vehicles in Delhi doesn’t apply to buses with All India Tourist Permits (AITP). Three of our Delhi – Lucknow services are BS-IV buses. Since they are operating with AITP, we haven’t faced any prohibition,” he confirms.

In essence, you can continue to operate buses to and from Delhi without hindrance, despite the ban on diesel buses in the region.