Delhi's New Pollution Rules Cause Border Chaos
Delhi has started new rules to fight severe air pollution. On Thursday, these rules caused huge traffic jams at its borders. Delhi stopped older private vehicles (those below BS-VI emission standards) from other cities from entering.
Police put up barriers at main entry points like Ghazipur, Chilla, DND Flyway, and Kalindi Kunj. This led to very long lines of cars during the morning rush hour. By 9 AM, queues of vehicles stretched over a kilometer in some places. Police had to temporarily remove barriers to clear traffic, then put them back later to continue checks.
What Are the New Rules?
These rules are part of the Delhi government's latest efforts to control worsening air quality. Officials say these new restrictions are expected to directly affect over 500,000 vehicles registered in Noida alone. Many people who travel daily between Noida/NCR and Delhi were very angry about the move.
Police Action and Checks at Borders
Pravin Ranjan Singh, Noida's Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), said Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police worked together. Delhi police put barriers on their side of the border, and Noida police put barriers near Noida Gate.
- Vehicles were stopped for checks.
- If a vehicle was found to be too old (not meeting BS-VI standards), it was told to take a U-turn and go back.
Traffic was very slow during busy hours but got better as the day went on.
Specific Border Points Affected
At Kalindi Kunj, a team of about 10 traffic police officers from Delhi and Noida worked together. They stopped vehicles that broke the rules and sent them back to Noida.
Officials said nearly 150 older vehicles (BS-III and BS-IV) were stopped and turned back at Kalindi Kunj alone on Thursday. Similar checks happened at the DND Flyway and Chilla border. Police reported that about 200 vehicles each were stopped and sent back at DND Flyway and Chilla crossings. Ghaziabad border also had similar checks.
Commuters' Frustration and Concerns
The ban has caused problems for many daily travelers.
Jitendra Kumar, who lives in Sector 78, said he has an older car (a BS-IV Honda Brio) that he uses for work in Delhi. He explained:
"With the ban, I can no longer use my car. I have to depend on carpooling or public transport. These decisions feel very sudden, especially when public transport options are not made stronger in advance."
Other commuters questioned why only vehicles were being targeted.
Sanjeev Kumar, a Sector 51 resident with an older car (a BS-III Volkswagen Vento), said his car was well-maintained but still could not enter Delhi. He added:
- "Vehicles alone are not responsible for pollution."
- He pointed out other big problems like construction dust, waste from building demolition, and burning garbage as major causes of pollution.
- He believes that checks on these other pollution sources are still weak.
- "Solving pollution needs a planned, long-term approach," he said.
Continued Checks Planned
Police said they will continue to check vehicles at three main Noida-Delhi borders all day and night on Friday to stop older vehicles from entering.
