Only clean fuel buses allowed in Delhi from November 2026, says CAQM

CAQM's announcement comes a day after CM Rekha Gupta unveiled Delhi's 25-point Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025, which includes electric buses, e-autos, and ANPR cameras

From 1 November 2026, only clean fuel buses running on CNG, electricity, or BS-VI diesel will be permitted to enter Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced on Wednesday.

 

The move aims to reduce vehicular emissions in the capital, which continues to grapple with hazardous air quality during large parts of the year.

 

Delhi’s broader air pollution strategy 

The CAQM announcement follows Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s unveiling of a 25-point Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025. The plan outlines steps to combat Delhi’s worsening air crisis, including the deployment of more than 5,000 electric buses and 2,299 e-autos by the end of the year.

 

It also proposes the installation of ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras to restrict entry of end-of-life vehicles into the city.

 

“Providing clean air to Delhi’s citizens is not optional — it is our duty. This plan balances enforcement, innovation, and public engagement. It is not just a document, but a robust road map to protect the health of our citizens in the coming years,” Gupta said.

 

New rules for buses entering the capital 

The CAQM directive applies to all buses entering Delhi, including those operating under All India Tourist Permit, contract carriage, institutional, and school bus permits — with the exception of those registered in Delhi, according to the Press Trust of India.

 

Previously, the CAQM had asked neighbouring states — Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir — to transition to clean fuel buses by mid-2024 or early 2025. Many states, however, failed to meet the deadline.

 

The commission has also instructed the Delhi Transport Department and Traffic Police to use ANPR systems at border entry points to enforce compliance and prevent unauthorised vehicle entry.

 

Targeting Delhi’s annual pollution crisis 

The clean fuel mandate and the 25-point mitigation plan are the latest responses to Delhi’s chronic air pollution problem, which spikes during winter and is a major public health concern. The city has repeatedly ranked among the most polluted in the world, with thousands of deaths annually linked to poor air quality.