Supreme Court Notified of CAQM’s Directive: Only BS-VI CNG, LNG, or Electric Goods Vehicles Permitted Entry into Delhi from November 2025
New Delhi, May 7, 2025 – In a significant development aimed at combating vehicular pollution in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has informed the Supreme Court that, effective November 1, 2025, only goods vehicles compliant with Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) standards and powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), or electricity (Electric Vehicles – EVs) will be permitted to enter Delhi. This directive forms part of a broader strategy to address the escalating air quality crisis in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
The announcement was made during a hearing before a bench comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih in the long-standing case of M.C. Mehta v. Union of India & Ors. (Writ Petition (Civil) No. 13029/1985), which addresses environmental pollution in Delhi-NCR. The CAQM’s affidavit, presented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, outlined stringent measures to curb emissions from heavy goods vehicles, including a prohibition on the entry of light goods vehicles (LGVs), medium goods vehicles (MGVs), and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) that do not meet the specified fuel and emission standards, except for those registered in Delhi.
Amicus Curiae Aparajita Singh, assisting the court in the matter, highlighted the CAQM’s commitment to adopting recommendations aimed at reducing vehicular pollution. “The CAQM has filed a positive affidavit accepting most recommendations, signaling a robust approach to mitigating Delhi’s air quality challenges,” Singh stated during the proceedings. She further emphasized that the restriction on non-compliant goods vehicles is a critical step toward ensuring cleaner air in the capital.
The CAQM’s directive also includes a significant measure to deny fuel to all “end-of-life” vehicles in the NCT of Delhi starting July 1, 2025. This policy targets vehicles that have exceeded their permissible operational lifespan, as defined by existing guidelines, to prevent further environmental degradation.
The Supreme Court’s scrutiny of air pollution measures in Delhi-NCR has intensified in recent years, with the court repeatedly directing authorities to enforce stricter compliance with pollution control norms. The present directive aligns with earlier orders under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV, which imposed restrictions on truck entries and banned the operation of BS-IV and below diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles, except for essential services.
Commenting on the development, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who has been involved in related proceedings, noted, “The CAQM’s decision to limit entry to BS-VI CNG, LNG, or EV goods vehicles reflects a necessary balance between environmental imperatives and logistical needs. However, its effective implementation across the NCR’s 28 districts will require coordinated action and robust enforcement mechanisms.”
The court has directed the CAQM to ensure compliance with the new measures and address any lapses in enforcement, referencing past criticisms of authorities’ failure to monitor entry points effectively. The bench has scheduled further hearings to monitor the implementation of these directives, with NCR states required to submit responses detailing their proposed measures to support the CAQM’s efforts.
This development underscores the judiciary’s ongoing commitment to addressing Delhi’s air pollution crisis, with the M.C. Mehta case continuing to serve as a pivotal platform for environmental reform. Stakeholders, including vehicle operators and environmental groups, are expected to closely monitor the rollout of these restrictions as November 2025 approaches.
Case Details: M.C. Mehta v. Union of India & Ors., Writ Petition (Civil) No. 13029/1985, Supreme Court of India.
For more updates, visit Literal Law.
