New Delhi, Nov. 1 -- Delhi's new restrictions on the entry of older vehicles from neighbouring states triggered massive traffic congestion at the Delhi-Gurugram border on Sunday, with queues stretching nearly 5 km from the Sarhaul toll plaza on NH-48. Commuters remained stuck for hours as police personnel stopped vehicles to verify their emission standards on the first day of enforcement.
The congestion, which began around 10 am, affected the flyover descending from Shankar Chowk, the main carriageway and the service road. Traffic movement returned to normal only around 3 pm. According to Gurugram traffic police, nearly 50 personnel from the traffic police and Haryana Police were deployed to regulate movement and conduct checks.
Under the restrictions, petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards cannot enter the national capital between November 1 and January 31, 2027. The prohibition covers BS-III and BS-IV vehicles, including light, medium and heavy goods carriers. CNG and electric vehicles, ambulances, fire tenders and specified essential-service vehicles have been exempted.
However, confusion emerged during enforcement, with some Gurugram traffic personnel reportedly turning back even Delhi-registered petrol and diesel vehicles below BS-VI standards, although the stated restrictions apply to vehicles registered outside the capital. The congestion was further disrupted when more than 100 buses carrying Congress workers arrived in Gurugram for the November 1 'Dilli Chalo' protest called by Rahul Gandhi. Protesters led by Congress leader Raj Babbar reportedly brought down barricades, briefly allowing vehicles to cross before police restored them.
The restrictions are part of Delhi-NCR's winter pollution-control measures. Transport department estimates indicate that more than 10 lakh vehicles across Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad fall below BS-VI standards. Nearly two lakh are in Gurugram and Faridabad alone.
Authorities have deployed around 250 enforcement personnel across 13 major toll plazas, supported by 39 teams. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are also being used to identify vehicles for verification, while violations can attract e-challans and impounding under applicable rules. Even BS-VI vehicles must carry valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. The enforcement began as Delhi's Air Quality Index stood at 261 in the poor category on Sunday. Jahangirpuri recorded the highest reading at 378, while 22 monitoring stations reported very poor air quality.
Meanwhile, other winter restrictions also came into force, including a ban on dust-generating outdoor construction and demolition activities, doubled parking charges and a 50 per cent cap on physical attendance in government and private offices.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.