New Delhi: Starting November 1, Delhi residents may face a sharp rise in the prices of essential goods — from vegetables, fruits, milk, and butter to daily-use groceries — as the Delhi government enforces a ban on all BS3 and BS4 commercial vehicles from entering the city limits.
The decision, taken in compliance with Supreme Court pollution control directives, allows only BS6-compliant vehicles to operate in the National Capital Region (NCR). While the move aims to reduce pollution, transporters warn it could trigger inflation and disrupt the city’s essential supply chain.
Speaking to reporters, Rajendra Kapoor, President of the Delhi Goods and Transport Association, said,
“This decision will have a massive impact. Everyday essentials like milk, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products — which are transported within a 150-200 km radius — mostly rely on BS3 and BS4 trucks. Their entry ban means reduced supply, leading to inevitable price hikes.”
Kapoor explained that while long-distance goods from states like Jammu & Kashmir or Maharashtra use BS6 vehicles, last-mile delivery within Delhi depends on smaller BS3 and BS4 vehicles. “If these trucks can’t enter Delhi, local supply chains will collapse, and the burden will fall on consumers,” he warned.
According to Kapoor, nearly 25% of commercial vehicles operating in Delhi are BS3, while another 35% are BS4. With their entry barred, around 60% of the total fleet will go off-road, which will directly impact market supply and consumer prices.
Transporters have also pointed out that despite reduced vehicular movement during recent holidays, pollution levels in Delhi remain high, suggesting that trucks are not the sole source of pollution. Kapoor added,
“Government agencies need to step out of their air-conditioned offices and look at the real causes of pollution. Even with fewer trucks running, the pollution level hasn’t dropped. There are other sources that need investigation.”
While the government maintains that the decision is necessary for public health, the transport fraternity plans to approach the Supreme Court to seek an extension or exemption for BS4 vehicles registered as recently as 2021.
“No truck owner can recover the full investment in just four years,” Kapoor said. “We hope the judiciary recognises our hardship and grants further relief.”
As the enforcement date nears, consumers brace for rising costs — with traders warning that prices could surge 10–15% across Delhi’s wholesale and retail markets.
