NEW DELHI: Delhi govt activates its special winter pollution restrictions Sunday, rolling out a broader seasonal framework that goes beyond the emergency measures imposed under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Effective from Nov 1, the measures aim to curb pollution through a combination of vehicle-entry restrictions, reduced office attendance, staggered working hours, higher parking charges and curbs on dust-generating construction activities.
The most wide-ranging measure could keep more than 10 lakh vehicles registered in neighbouring NCR districts out of Delhi between Nov 1 and Jan 31. The restriction applies to vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission norms and are neither CNG nor electric vehicles. Emergency and govt-duty vehicles, including ambulances, fire tenders and police vehicles, have been exempted.
The policy, unveiled in July, marks a shift from relying primarily on pollution-triggered restrictions to implementing a notified set of measures every winter. The framework will operate alongside GRAP, with stricter provisions under the latter taking precedence. Govt hopes the combined effect of these measures will help reduce emissions and dust.
Enforcement will be backed by special…