Delhi commuters stranded as BS-VI vehicle ban enters second day
Passengers were left stuck at borders after the Delhi government restricted entry to BS-VI, CNG and electric vehicles to combat pollution.
Commuters were stranded at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border on Monday as the Delhi government enforced a ban on vehicles below the BS-VI emission standard. According to The Indian Express, the ban entered its second day with officers stationed at borders with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to allow only BS-VI-compliant, CNG and electric vehicles into the capital.
The enforcement caused distress for many passengers. Nahida, a 23-year-old passenger on a bus from Bihar, said she and her relatives were stranded near the Chilla Border after the non-BS-VI vehicle was challaned. She said the bus operator was not providing money for them to return home.
Other travellers faced similar difficulties. Varun, a 43-year-old auto rickshaw driver from Sonipat, said he had been stuck for two hours with his family after paying Rs 6,000 for travel. Another driver, Bhupendra, was turned back from the Chilla Border while travelling from Noida to Delhi, stating he was unaware of the rules.
A Delhi Police officer reported that 8,263 vehicles were checked in the capital and along its borders until 8 pm. Of these, 37 were challaned, 1,228 were sent back, and two were impounded to be sent to scrap yards.
At the Delhi-Gurugram Aya Nagar border, ASI Deepak Kumar said all 10 vehicles stopped by his team were BS-VI-compliant. He told seniors over the phone that people have become aware of the rules.