Long queues, traffic congestion at Delhi borders on first day of entry curbs

New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) Long queues of vehicles, repeated checks, and frustrated commuters marked the first day of the new vehicle entry restrictions in the national capital, Delhi, on Sunday.

Vehicles not meeting the BS-VI emission standards were stopped at several interstate borders, triggering massive traffic congestion on roads connecting Delhi with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The restrictions came into effect on November 1 as part of the winter pollution-control measures.

Under the new arrangement, petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not comply with BS-VI emission standards are barred from entering the national capital. Electric and CNG vehicles, along with BS-VI-compliant vehicles, are exempted.

The enforcement is being jointly carried out by Delhi’s environment and transport departments, and the traffic police. It covers several important entry points, including Rajokri on NH-48, DND Flyway, Ghazipur, Singhu, Tikri and Badarpur

According to official sources from the environment department, their officials issued around 1,105 challans for Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) violations in Delhi, even as the city recorded poor air quality.