The Delhi Government began enforcing fixed winter pollution curbs on 1 November 2026, The Hindu reported. Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS VI emission norms are barred from entering until 31 January, with exemptions for CNG and electric vehicles. Government and private offices must keep 50% of staff working from home until 31 January, with exemptions for essential services. Parking charges at authorised municipal sites are doubled until 28 February. Outdoor construction and demolition that raise dust are also banned until 31 January, with some exemptions.
These rules sit alongside the Graded Response Action Plan, or GRAP, which adds curbs as air quality worsens. Hindustan Times reported in October that under GRAP stage one, hotels, restaurants and open eateries cannot use coal or firewood in tandoors. Fuel stations will not sell fuel to vehicles without a valid pollution certificate. Enforcement will use number plate cameras at borders and fuel stations, according to the Chief Minister’s office. A complete construction ban will also apply from 10 December to 20 January.
Our view is that these curbs will cut weekday office traffic to restaurants and business hotels in central and business districts of Delhi. Restaurants near office hubs lose lunch covers, while delivery led kitchens and hotels with strong leisure or wedding demand lose less. Tourist taxis and coaches from nearby states that run on older engines face the biggest disruption. Coverage has not addressed how inbound tour operators should handle the vehicle ban for guests arriving by road. In past winters, Delhi has tightened curbs further when air quality falls into the severe range. We expect Delhi to move to a higher GRAP stage at least once before the end of December 2026. Confidence: medium.
This is important for our readers because the curbs change how guests and staff reach your property until early 2027. If you run a restaurant in Delhi, confirm that your tandoors run on gas or electricity this week. If you book road transfers, check that your transport partners use BS VI, CNG or electric vehicles. Tell guests about doubled parking charges and metro options.
Sources:
The Hindu, 1 Nov 2026
Hindustan Times, Oct 2026
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