Traffic snarls hit Delhi-Gurugram border as new emission curbs begin
Congestion stretched up to 5 km on National Highway-48 after the Delhi government implemented a ban on certain non-Delhi vehicles.
Traffic on National Highway-48 stretched up to 5 km from the Sarhaul toll plaza on Sunday morning. According to the Hindustan Times, the congestion occurred as the Delhi government began enforcing a ban on non-Delhi petrol and diesel vehicles that do not meet BS-VI emission standards.
The restrictions, which run from November 1 to January 31 next year, apply to light, medium, and heavy goods vehicles registered outside Delhi. CNG, electric vehicles, and those meeting BS-VI standards are exempt from the measure intended to reduce winter air pollution.
Gurugram traffic police deployed approximately 50 personnel from both the traffic and Haryana police to check vehicles. While the ban targets non-Delhi registered vehicles, police on the ground reported that Delhi-registered petrol and diesel vehicles below the BS-VI standard were also being turned back and fined.
Commuters faced delays of over two hours, including Reshma Patel and Lokesh Verma. Vikas Kumar, a cab driver, was also stuck in traffic for more than an hour.
The congestion was further impacted when over 100 buses carrying Congress workers arrived for a protest. Protesters led by Raj Babbar toppled barricades to allow vehicles through, though police later reinstated them. Traffic began to clear around 3 pm after persisting since 10 am.