This winter has seen New Delhi's air pollution crisis hit an all-time low, forcing the Delhi government to implement numerous measures to try and improve the condition of the air that we breathe. Besides implementing the odd-even formula for a test phase of 15 days, the government has also banned the sale of diesel cars with engine above 2,000cc, has made it mandatory for all taxis in the National Capital Region (NCR) to convert to CNG by 1 March, 2016 and banned the registration of new diesel commercial vehicles from 1 January, 2016. Transit trucks commuting through the national capital have also been banned and only those trucks which have their final destination within city limits are currently allowed to ply on the roads. The odd-even rule is set to return after March.
Also Read: US-Based Study Shows 18% Reduction in Pollutants During Odd-Even Test Period
In addition to these measures, the government is now planning on imposing a Rs 5,000 fine on any polluting truck that enters the national capital, reports PTI. At a meeting held by Health Minister Satyendar Jain, the effects of the aforementioned measures were discussed and reviewed.
In its statement, the government said, "At the meeting, traffic police informed the minister that orders of the National Green Tribunal to impose a challan of Rs 5,000 each on polluting trucks entering Delhi can be enforced when these are notified by Delhi government."
Also Read: Odd-Even Rule: Over Rs 2 Crore Collected in Fines
Elaborating on the issue, a senior official revealed that the government was considering approaching the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding the imposition of the more stringent penalty on polluting trucks plying on city roads. Currently only a Rs 2,000 fine is imposed on offending vehicles. The government stated, "The environment department was directed to take up the matter with DDA and traffic police and bring the contentions of both DDA as well as traffic police to the notice of NGT for taking a final view in the matter."
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In December, the government was reported to have been mulling banning all commercial vehicles over 15 years old by April. Earlier in the year, the National Green Tribunal had also given a definitive directive to the Delhi government in April banning all diesel cars over the age of 10 from the city. Looking for a more permanent solution, the government has also pushed back the date of implementation of Bharat Stage VI (BS VI) emission norms to 1 April, 2020. If successfully implanted, India will become the first country in the world to skip BS V (Euro 5 equivalent) altogether.
