Delhi Bans Older Commercial Trucks to Combat Toxic Smog and Reduce Particulate Emissions

Delhi endures toxic smog that surpasses WHO safe limits by over 60 times, with AQI soaring above 300 and triggering emergency alerts, and IQAir ranking the capital among the world’s ten most polluted cities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi’s chief minister face a direct appeal from opposition leader Priyanka Gandhi, who urged them to enact swift policy action and enforce stricter emission controls to combat the “filthy smog”.

Non‑BS‑VI commercial trucks will be barred from city roads later this year; these older vehicles represent roughly 30% of commercial traffic, and the ban aims to cut particulate matter emissions by an estimated 15% as part of Delhi’s anti‑smog plan.

Health experts recommend five simple dietary swaps—replacing fried snacks with fresh fruit, choosing whole grains over refined flour, limiting dairy, adding turmeric to meals, and drinking warm herbal teas—to lower oxidative stress and protect residents while the transport ban and other measures take effect.