Delhi Traffic Police Plans Vehicle Entry Curbs, WhatsApp Coordination to Tackle Air Pollution

Delhi Traffic Police is preparing a series of measures to curb air pollution in the national capital during the winter months, including tighter restrictions on vehicles entering the city, coordinated enforcement at border points and a dedicated WhatsApp group for sharing real-time updates among officials.

The proposed measures are expected to be implemented during the winter pollution season, when deteriorating air quality in Delhi is often aggravated by vehicular emissions, road dust and other sources of pollution. Authorities are focusing on strengthening coordination between departments and neighbouring states to ensure that restrictions are enforced more effectively.

As part of the plan, officials from the concerned departments will use a dedicated WhatsApp group to exchange information, circulate directions issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and coordinate enforcement activities. The arrangement is intended to help authorities respond quickly to violations and ensure that instructions are communicated to the teams responsible for implementation.

Vehicle-entry restrictions are scheduled to remain in force from November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027, subject to the applicable rules and exemptions. The measures are aimed at restricting the entry of vehicles that do not meet the prescribed emission standards, thereby reducing pollution caused by road transport.

Authorities are also planning to strengthen checks on buses operating between Delhi and other cities. Non-compliant inter-state and inter-city buses may be diverted at the national capital’s borders, while electric, compressed natural gas (CNG) and BS-VI diesel buses will be permitted in accordance with the applicable requirements.

Joint enforcement teams are being considered for deployment at key border points to monitor compliance and prevent vehicles from entering Delhi in violation of the restrictions. Cooperation between traffic police and officials from neighbouring states is expected to play an important role in implementing the measures.

The traffic police have also been directed to take action against violations involving overloaded vehicles, enforce designated no-entry timings and check vehicles transporting construction and demolition waste in breach of regulations. Dust-control measures are also expected to receive greater attention as part of the wider pollution-control effort.

Vehicle owners have been advised to ensure that their vehicles carry valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates wherever required. Officials are expected to strengthen compliance checks as part of the seasonal enforcement drive. The measures were discussed at an inter-state coordination meeting chaired by Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ajay Chaudhry on Thursday. The meeting focused on improving coordination among enforcement agencies and ensuring the effective implementation of pollution-control directions.