GRAP Stage IV was imposed on December 13 after Delhi’s AQI crossed the 450 mark, triggering the strictest set of curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan. With Stage IV now lifted across the entire NCR, some of the most disruptive measures, including bans on certain categories of vehicles and construction activity, no longer apply.

However, it is important to note that GRAP Stages I, II and III remain in force. These stages continue to place restrictions on specific vehicle categories to prevent pollution levels from worsening again.

So where does that leave BS4 petrol car owners?

As per GRAP Stage III rules, BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel vehicles remain barred from operating in Delhi-NCR. BS4 petrol vehicles, however, are not restricted under Stage III. This means there is no ban on the movement of BS4 petrol cars within Delhi or the wider NCR as long as they comply with standard requirements such as a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate.

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Crucially, the lifting of Stage IV has also removed the temporary entry restriction on BS4 petrol vehicles registered outside Delhi. Earlier, during stricter enforcement, authorities had clarified that only Delhi-registered BS4 petrol cars were allowed to enter the city, while out-of-state BS4 petrol vehicles, though permitted to operate elsewhere in NCR, were barred from entering Delhi.

With Stage IV no longer in effect, that distinction no longer applies. Both Delhi-registered and out-of-state BS4 petrol cars are now allowed to operate and enter Delhi-NCR.

That said, authorities have made it clear that air quality will continue to be closely monitored. If pollution levels rise again, stricter GRAP stages can be reimposed at short notice. For now, BS4 petrol car owners can legally drive in Delhi-NCR without additional restrictions beyond those already in place under existing GRAP stages.