Big relief for Delhiites as ban on BS-III and BS-IV vehicles lifts from Monday

The move is likely to come as a major relief for thousands of vehicle owners who could not ply their vehicles due to the ban imposed between November 5 and 13 to keep air quality in check.

The Delhi government on Sunday said the ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four wheelers will be lifted from Monday. The decision means that all types of vehicles can ply on Delhi roads from Monday without any restrictions, a transport department official told Hindustan Times.

The move comes as a big relief to thousands of vehicle owners in the national capital who could not drive their vehicles on the road due to the ban imposed between November 5 and 13 as the Delhi government's efforts to keep the air quality in check.

A Delhi transport official said the ban will lapse on Sunday night as no order extending the ban has been issued. However, he added that the situation is being monitored by the authorities, which will be reviewed if the air quality index surges again

The Commission for Air Quality Management had imposed ban on the movement of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles till Sunday as part of the anti-pollution measures under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap).

Around three lakh diesel and two lakh petrol vehicles were affected due to the ban causing inconvenience to commuters in the national capital and to those travelling to the capital from neighbouring citiesms was banned from plying,” Singh said.

The decision means that all types of vehicles can ply on Delhi roads from Monday without any restrictions. (AP File Photo)

According to a Delhi Police official over 4,000 vehicles were fined for violating the curbs on vehicles. Delhi's AQI was 303 on Sunday, 303 on Saturday and 346 on Friday. Agencies forecast Delhi’s AQI to deteriorate slightly on Monday, with local wind speed dropping slightly.