In a significant move to combat vehicular pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), discussions at the NCR Planning Board meeting on Tuesday included a proposal to allow only BS-VI compliant vehicles to enter the Delhi region starting July this year.
Proposal Discussed at NCR Regional Plan-2041 Meeting
The proposal emerged during the 42nd meeting of the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB), chaired by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Member states deliberated on measures to address rising environmental challenges alongside the Regional Plan-2041.
According to ministry sources, restricting the entry of older vehicles was part of broader discussions on reducing transport-related emissions in the NCR, one of the most polluted urban regions in the country.
Parivartan Scheme to Phase Out Older Vehicles
Briefing the media after the meeting, Khattar highlighted the proposed Programme for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivisation of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air-Pollution and Network Emission (Parivartan) scheme. This incentive-based programme aims to phase out older vehicles across NCR states.
The scheme envisions voluntary replacement and scrapping of BS-I, BS-II, and BS-III vehicles, with implementation expected through participating states. Officials indicated that the initiative is intended to complement broader efforts to improve air quality while preparing the region for future population growth.
Regional Plan-2041 and Population Growth
The discussion gains significance as the NCR prepares for a population that could reach nearly 15 crore under the Regional Plan-2041 framework, increasing pressure on transport networks and environmental resources.
Alongside measures targeting vehicle emissions, the Planning Board discussed a range of interventions, including expansion of public transport systems, Regional Rapid Transit System corridors, and creation of new urban growth centres to reduce dependence on Delhi and shorten daily commutes.
Officials stated that pollution mitigation remains a key pillar of future planning for the NCR, with transport reforms expected to play a central role in improving air quality across the region.
While no formal timeline was announced for implementation, discussions at the meeting indicate that stricter vehicle norms are likely to form an important part of the NCR's long-term environmental strategy.
