Delhi Pollution: AAP government may ban diesel cars today

 

Delhi Air Quality: A view of traffic amidst heavy haze. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR has entered the 'severe' category.

• Amidst rising pollution levels, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has called a high-level meeting on Friday.

The Delhi government may ban diesel-run vehicles as the air quality remains in the 'severe' category. The Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) recommended the implementation of mandatory restrictions under phase four of the Graded Response Action Plan or GRAP due to increase in pollution. According to an order issued by CAQM, under these GRAP measures, state governments should bar the entry of diesel cars, except diesel-powered trucks carrying essential commodities and vehicles that comply with BS-VI emission norms.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, Livemint's sister publication, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has called a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat on Friday afternoon in view of the CAQM directions.

However, a Delhi Transport Department official told the daily that the ban on plying of diesel vehicles would be strict.

With regard to enforcement of restrictions on plying of four wheeler diesel LMVs in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, the official said that they have access to a pan-India database through the "Vahan" portal.

"The vehicles will be returned and if any vehicle enters and is found running on the streets of Delhi, it will be immediately confiscated," he said.

The official said the department can only enforce the restrictions manually.

“There is no mechanism to implement this through technology. We have to stop a vehicle, enter its details in the vehicle portal and only then we will know whether it is a BS-VI vehicle or any other vehicle. " the officer said.

Officials said that if the air quality levels improve, that is, they fall below 400, then the ban will not be imposed.

The department will issue public notices and issue advertisements to make people aware of the restrictions.

Another spokesperson of the transport department told the daily that if such vehicles are found plying, the owners could face a challan of Rs 20,000.

Yesterday, officials of the Delhi Transport Department said that a total of 120 teams would take action at the entry points of Delhi to ensure that trucks other than essential commodities do not enter the national capital.

The commission also ordered a ban on diesel-run medium and heavy goods vehicles registered in Delhi in the capital. Those carrying essential commodities and providing essential services have been exempted.

Entry of trucks other than electric and CNG-run trucks has also been banned in Delhi.

According to an estimate by the Transport Department, there are around 300,000 diesel vehicles in Delhi with either BS-III or BS-IV engines.

A study conducted by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) last year claimed that vehicles are the biggest contributor to local particulate matter in Delhi.