Despite the clear directives from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), over 450 buses with BS-3 and BS-4 emission standards are still operational in the Ghaziabad region. These buses were supposed to be phased out by now, but the transition has not been completed. Starting from October 1, the operation of these buses will be completely banned in the National Capital Region (NCR), which may cause significant inconvenience to commuters.

CAQM had identified old buses—specifically those complying with BS-2, BS-3, and BS-4 norms—as a major contributor to air pollution in the NCR. To address this issue, a meeting was held last October with transportation officials, and it was decided that all non-compliant buses would be phased out by June 30, 2024. The authorities were granted seven months to replace or upgrade the fleet, yet the transition remains incomplete.

The Ghaziabad region, in particular, still has a large number of outdated buses. Out of the total fleet, only 227 BS-6 buses and 123 CNG buses are available. Starting October 1, only BS-6, CNG, and electric buses will be permitted to operate, making it a challenge for the transport authorities to meet the demand. The delay in transitioning to a cleaner fleet means that passengers could face longer wait times, overcrowding, and overall disruption in public transportation services.

In an effort to buy more time, the transport corporation had requested an extension until September 30, but even with this additional time, the necessary changes have not been fully implemented. As a result, both the authorities and commuters are likely to face a difficult transition period as older buses are removed from service, and the region adapts to the new, environmentally-friendly standards.