The Delhi government decided to ban these cars on Monday based on the directions provided under Stage III of the revised GRAP and Section 115 of the Motor Vehicle Act. “There shall be restrictions to ply BS 3, Petrol and BS 4, Diesel LMVs (4 Wheelers) in NCT of Delhi with immediate effect, till dated January 12, 2023, or till downward revision in the GRAP stage, whichever is earlier (except for vehicles deployed in emergency services, police vehicles, and government vehicles used for enforcement),” read the order, issued by the Transport Department of Delhi.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the pollution level in Delhi rose to 434 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Monday, up by more than 60 points recorded on Sunday. The order from the Transport Department of Delhi further said that the sub-committee “invoked all the actions as envisaged under Stage-III of the GRAP – ‘Severe’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 401-450), be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned, with immediate effect in the entire NCR”.
Anyone flouting the ban implemented will be prosecuted under certain sections of the Motor Vehicles Act and have to pay a very hefty fine. The Delhi government order said any BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel cars found plying till Thursday will be ‘prosecuted under 194 (1) of Motor Vehicles Act which provides a fine of ₹20,000’.
