Delhi's winter pollution war: Non-BS6 vehicles banned, 50% WFH from November 1

Starting November 1, 2026, non-BS6 vehicles registered outside Delhi will be prohibited from entering the national capital, while restrictions will also be imposed on construction activities, office attendance and private vehicle use.

According to a government order, the restrictions will remain in effect until January 31, 2027.

The measures will be enforced through special inspection teams, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and an AI-enabled Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC). Violators will face electronic challans.

Here are five major changes commuters and residents need to know:

Non-BS6 vehicles banned from entering Delhi

Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not comply with BS-VI emission standards will not be allowed to enter the national capital from November 1.

The restriction is expected to affect nearly 10 lakh older petrol and diesel vehicles travelling from neighbouring cities, including Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad.

However, electric vehicles, CNG-powered vehicles and emergency services such as ambulances and fire tenders have been exempted from the restrictions.

Construction and demolition activities restricted

To reduce dust pollution, all dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction activities will remain prohibited between November 1 and January 31.

Certain essential public infrastructure projects may be allowed to continue, subject to prescribed conditions.

Indoor finishing, plumbing and electrical work can proceed, provided the required dust-control measures are followed.

50% work-from-home rule for offices

In another significant move, government and private offices have been directed to ensure that only 50% of their workforce attends workplaces physically, with the remaining employees working from home.

Essential services will remain exempt from this arrangement.

Revised office timings, double parking charges

The government has also introduced staggered office timings across civic bodies to reduce traffic congestion during peak hours.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices will operate from 8.30 am to 5 pm, while Delhi government offices will function between 10 am and 6.30 pm.

Additionally, parking charges at several public parking facilities will be doubled to discourage the use of private vehicles. However, parking facilities operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will remain exempt from the increased charges.

'No PUC, no fuel' policy from November 1

Delhi will also implement the 'No PUC, No Fuel' policy at petrol pumps from November 1.

Under the initiative, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will be denied fuel, including petrol, diesel and CNG.

Around 500 petrol pumps across the capital have reportedly been equipped with ANPR cameras to scan vehicle registration numbers and verify pollution certification details.

Vehicles found without valid PUC certificates will not be eligible for refuelling.

What should commuters do?

People travelling to Delhi from neighbouring NCR cities have been advised to check their vehicles' emission standards and ensure that their PUC certificates are valid before starting their journeys.

Commuters using older petrol and diesel vehicles should make alternative travel arrangements to avoid being turned away at Delhi's entry points or facing penalties.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has appealed to residents to cooperate with the pollution-control measures.

Commuters have also been advised to follow the Delhi Traffic Police's official social media handles for regular updates.

With winter approaching, the new restrictions are aimed at reducing vehicular emissions, construction dust and traffic congestion as Delhi prepares for another challenging pollution season.