Delhi Pollution Crisis: Fuel Demands Up for Vehicles During Wedding Season

New Delhi: enforcement of Stage IV of GRAP, which bans BS-3 and BS-4 diesel vehicles, has disrupted travel and transportation, particularly for those engaged in wedding business.

Central Pollution Control Board imposed GRAP-IV measures after Delhi's air quality index (AQI) entered 'severe' category on Sunday.

restrictions, which came into effect at 8 AM Monday, aim to curb pollution caused by older diesel vehicles.

However, measure has h unintended consequences.

Travel agencies report a sharp rise in demand for BS-6 and CNG vehicles, including cars like Ertiga, Innova, and traveller buses, as y scramble to meet commitments me before ban.

" wedding season has ded to pressure. Many vehicles were pre-booked months in vance, and with this sudden ban, we h to scramble to just," said Sewak Tuar, a travel agency owner.

"We are struggling to arrange new vehicles, petrol, CNG, and BS-6 compliant ones, as weddings and transportation needs are being heavily affected," he ded.

Aryan Sinha, anor travel agency owner, highlighted growing challenges "We have vehicles available for nearby trips like Amritsar, but families booking vehicles for destinations such as Manali, Mussoorie, and Rishikesh, as well as for weddings, are facing difficulties," he said.

According to Sinha, wedding bookings often require 10 to 15 vehicles for multiple days. Managing this demand is challenging because y now have to ensure vehicles meet required standards, he said.

"For large groups, CNG buses, traveller buses, and BS-6 compliant vehicles, especially newer models from 2020 onward, are in high demand," he told PTI.

restrictions have also impacted routine tourism as pollution prompts many families to plan trips to hill stations.

Rajesh Kumar, anor travel agency owner, said, "This is peak wedding season, and many families plan destination weddings or large garings requiring bulk bookings. Rearranging se commitments has been costly and disruptive, as we now have to rent ditional vehicles or upgre our fleet to comply with regulations." shortage has also caused financial strain on agencies, with many reporting losses.

"A large portion of our fleet comprises BS-3 and BS-4 vehicles, which are now off ros. To accommodate demand, we've h to rent compliant vehicles, which increases costs," Kumar ded.

Delhi's AQI worsened on Monday and Tuesday, crossing 450 and entering 'severe-plus' range. While Wednesday saw slight improvement, AQI remains in 'severe' range.

GRAP, or Gred Response Action Plan, for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality — Stage 1 for "poor" AQI ranging between 201 and 300, Stage 2 for "very poor" AQI of 301-400, Stage 3 for "severe" AQI of 401-450 and Stage 4 for "severe plus" AQI more than 450.

With schools now closed due to pollution, many families are booking trips to hill stations. Dharamveer Singh from Kusha Travels, a travel agency based in Pushp Vihar, said three to four families are booking tour packages from Delhi every day, typically for trips lasting three to four days.

"Many families are booking trips to Manali, Mussoorie, and Shimla. Vehicles are being reserved for three to four days at a time, furr ding to shortage," Singh said.

At 9 am, national capital recorded an AQI of 376, according to CPCB. wear department has predicted shallow fog during day. 

With PTI Inputs