In an effort to effectively tackle pollution in the national Capital, plans are afoot to restrict polluting vehicles from entering Delhi, starting with the deployment of Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at all Delhi border entry points.
Delhi Government is finalising its comprehensive Environment Action Plan 2025-26, which will include a series of technology-based, high-impact interventions aimed at curbing air pollution and controlling dust emissions, a statement on Friday said.
At the centre of these efforts is a strong push to restrict polluting vehicles from entering the Capital, starting with the deployment of Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at all Delhi border entry points, Delhi government statement on Friday said.
In a high-level meeting chaired by Minister for Environment and Forests Manjinder Singh Sirsa, senior officials from the Environment Department, Transport Department, and Delhi Traffic Police reviewed measures to prevent the entry of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs)—which are a major source of vehicular pollution.
The Minister directed the immediate installation of ANPR cameras, which will automatically capture incoming vehicle numbers, cross-check them against the VAHAN database, and identify whether the vehicle is legally permitted to enter.
Vehicle registration details will be verified, and if found to be categorised as ELV, an alert message will be played through an LED display system. LED screens at border points will also flash vehicle numbers and simultaneously trigger “wrong entry” alert SMS and WhatsApp messages to the owner.
“We want to target pollution at its very originating point,” Sirsa stated. “Following the same principle, ANPR cameras are being phase-wise installed at Delhi’s border points to detect and restrict end-of-life and unfit vehicles. This is more than enforcement — this is about protecting the health of our people. Through data, automation, and inter-state communication, we are creating a pollution shield around Delhi.”
The installation of these cameras will also serve to sensitise truck drivers and vehicle owners about the restrictions placed on ELVs from entering Delhi. This system is designed not only to prevent violations but also to ensure wide-scale awareness within the transport community so that the message is effectively disseminated and adopted across regions.
As part of the plan, SMS and WhatsApp alerts will be sent to vehicle owners in neighbouring states, warning them that ELVs are banned from entering Delhi and will be fined if found violating the norms. Proactive alerts will also be sent to vehicles approaching the end-of-life threshold, with reminder messages to improve compliance. The Transport Department has been directed to prepare a 12-month SMS notification calendar for sustained inter-state outreach.
This initiative is one of several being finalised under the Environment Action Plan 2025-26, which is directly being monitored by Sirsa. The plan envisions a multi-pronged strategy combining technology, enforcement, and public engagement. During the review meeting at the Delhi Secretariat, the Minister also reviewed timelines and targets across key thematic areas including vehicular pollution control, air quality improvement, mass tree plantation, solid and C&D waste management, and the deployment of water sprinkler trucks and anti-smog guns starting June 1.
Departments such as DPCC, MCD, NDMC, Delhi Jal Board, and Delhi Traffic Police were directed to streamline their implementation timelines and report back with revised execution schedules. The meeting also discussed new strategies for electric mobility, forest conservation, Yamuna rejuvenation, and enhanced public awareness initiatives on environmental sustainability. Reiterating the government’s commitment, Sirsa said, “We are building an action plan that is rooted in technology, accountability, and sustainability. Delhi’s fight against pollution is no longer reactive—it is proactive, precise, and people-centric.”
