Delhi’s border points witnessed strict vehicle checks on Thursday as enforcement agencies intensified action under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) following a sharp deterioration in air quality. A thick blanket of smog covered key entry points, including the Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) Flyway, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) near the Chilla border slipping to around 490, placing it in the hazardous category.

Officials from the Delhi transport department and traffic police were seen stopping vehicles registered outside the capital, particularly those that did not meet BS VI emission standards. Non-compliant vehicles were either fined Rs 20,000 or asked to turn back from the border.

According to transport department officials supervising the checks, teams are verifying vehicle compliance using portable devices that allow instant confirmation of registration details, emission norms and Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) validity. Drivers without valid PUCCs are also being penalised.

Old and non-BS VI vehicles under scanner

Barricades were placed along key routes to slow traffic and enable thorough inspection. Enforcement teams are specifically targeting vehicles that appear old or do not carry blue stickers indicating BS VI compliance. Traffic personnel from neighbouring states are also part of the joint operation at border points.

Officers said that diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, especially those meeting BS-III or lower emission standards, are being stopped and fined as per existing rules. Authorities maintained that these measures are part of emergency steps to limit vehicular pollution during the winter peak.

Commuters voice frustration over enforcement

Some motorists expressed dissatisfaction with the sudden enforcement drive. A commuter from Faridabad, whose BS-III vehicle was stopped at the border, questioned the fairness of the checks, arguing that ordinary drivers were being penalised while larger systemic issues remained unaddressed. He also raised concerns about the lack of uniform checks on public transport vehicles.

Officials, however, said awareness about vehicular pollution norms has been repeatedly communicated and that enforcement teams have been deployed across all major entry points to prevent violators from using alternate routes to enter the city.

Vehicles a major contributor to winter pollution

Data shared by officials indicates that transport accounts for over 20% of PM2.5 pollution during winter months in Delhi-NCR. Of the nearly 2.88 crore vehicles in the region, about 93% are light motor vehicles and two-wheelers, while nearly 37% fall under BS-III or older categories. These older vehicles emit significantly higher levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide compared to newer models.

Experts cited in media reports have pointed out that while vehicle restrictions may offer temporary relief, long-term solutions are necessary. Concerns have also been raised about the effectiveness of the existing PUC system, which does not adequately measure particulate emissions, and the need for stronger scrappage policies and improved public transport to address cross-border pollution.

Former transport officials have criticised what they described as last-minute enforcement measures, calling for consistent tailpipe emission checks, better inter-state coordination and the creation of a dedicated pollution control task force to tackle vehicular emissions more sustainably.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday was conferred with ‘The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’, the highest national award of the African nation, becoming the first head of government or state globally to receive the honour.

The award was presented during a special ceremony held at the Addis International Convention Centre, where Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali honoured Modi for his role in strengthening bilateral relations between India and Ethiopia and for his leadership on global issues.

Recognition of India-Ethiopia partnership

According to an official statement, the honour recognises Prime Minister Modi’s contribution to deepening the long-standing partnership between the two countries and his engagement with issues concerning the Global South. The conferment is being seen as a milestone in India-Ethiopia relations and reflects the growing diplomatic and development cooperation between the two nations.

Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the award and dedicated it to the people of India. In a post on X, he said he was honoured to receive Ethiopia’s highest recognition and attributed it to the collective strength and aspirations of 140 crore Indians.

‘Accepted with humility and gratitude’

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi said it was a privilege to accept the honour from one of the world’s most ancient civilisations. He expressed humility and gratitude while thanking Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the people of Ethiopia for the recognition.

He also praised the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s leadership and initiatives aimed at promoting national unity, sustainability and inclusive development. Highlighting the role of knowledge and education in nation-building, Modi noted that Indian teachers have been contributing to Ethiopia’s progress for more than a century.

The Prime Minister dedicated the award to both Indians and Ethiopians who have nurtured bilateral ties over generations and conveyed appreciation on behalf of India’s population for the honour bestowed upon him.

The Trump administration has widened its travel restrictions, adding 20 more countries to the existing list and imposing a complete ban on travel for people holding documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The decision significantly expands the scope of the travel limits announced earlier this year and will come into force from January 1.

According to the proclamation issued on Tuesday, the latest move doubles the number of nations impacted by US travel and immigration restrictions. Five additional countries now face a full ban, while 15 others have been placed under partial restrictions. The administration said the measures apply to both visitors and those seeking to immigrate to the United States.

Countries facing full travel ban

The newly added countries under the full ban include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria. In addition, people travelling on Palestinian Authority-issued passports or documents have been fully barred from entering or emigrating to the US. South Sudan had already been subject to significant restrictions before this announcement.

Earlier, the administration had imposed a complete ban on travellers from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

15 countries under partial restrictions

The list of countries now facing partial travel restrictions includes Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

These join the earlier partially restricted countries such as Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. The administration also said restrictions on Laos and Sierra Leone have been upgraded, while some limits on Turkmenistan have been eased after an improvement in vetting standards.

Who is exempt from the restrictions

The proclamation clarifies that certain categories of travellers are exempt. These include people who already hold valid US visas, lawful permanent residents, diplomats, athletes, and individuals whose entry is considered to be in the national interest of the United States.

Reasons cited by the administration

The US administration said many of the affected countries suffer from widespread corruption, unreliable civil documents and weak criminal record systems, making proper vetting difficult. It also pointed to high visa overstay rates, refusal by some governments to accept deported nationals, and broader concerns related to immigration enforcement, foreign policy and national security.

The expansion follows the arrest of an Afghan national accused in the shooting of two National Guard troops near the White House during the Thanksgiving weekend. The accused has pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges.

Criticism and concerns over Afghan visas

The decision has drawn criticism from rights groups and immigration advocates, who argue that national security is being used to justify broad restrictions on entire populations. Concerns have also been raised over the removal of an exception for Afghans eligible for the Special Immigrant Visa, a category meant for those who assisted US forces during the war in Afghanistan.

Advocacy groups said these individuals undergo extensive vetting and that restricting their entry could undermine commitments made by the United States.

New restrictions on Palestinians

The full ban on people holding Palestinian Authority passports marks a further tightening of restrictions imposed earlier, which had already made it extremely difficult for Palestinians to travel to the US for work, education, business or tourism. The administration justified the move by citing the presence of US-designated terrorist groups in the West Bank and Gaza, as well as challenges in vetting due to ongoing conflict.

Governments of some newly affected countries said they were reviewing the decision and seeking clarity from US officials on the implications of the restrictions.