As you read this story, a National Green Tribunal hearing is underway where the topic of discussion is whether diesel engine cars should be banned in 11 other cities or not. The ramifications of this decision, should it be passed, will send across a negative message to the automobile industry in the country. The diesel ban in Delhi has cost 5,000 jobs and a production loss of 11,000 units of vehicles already. There has been a ban on registration of diesel vehicles over 2,000cc in Delhi since December, 2015.
The automobile industry has reacted to this news by saying that the move will be unscientific and uncalled for. Metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad will be on the list of National Green Tribunal where diesel cars above 2,000cc will be banned. The Supreme Court has already extended the diesel car ban in Delhi until further notice. Some cities in Kerala have also banned the registration of diesel vehicles over 2,000cc.
If some reports are to be believed then, over 4 lakh units of diesel cars above 2,000cc are sold in India every year. Society of Indian Automotive Manufacturers (SIAM) says that if the ban on diesel cars is countrywide then an estimated 47,000 jobs will be lost. Also, the investment from manufacturers that has gone in to meet the emissions and otherwise will be a complete waste and result in loss of jobs and vehicle production. Vehicle manufacturers are already alarmed and some of them, such as Toyota, are mulling whether they should be even introducing new diesel models in India or not.
The NGT has demanded a 'complete and comprehensive' data on population density, car density, pollution levels of the cities in question before it decides whether to ban diesel vehicles or not.
The entire automotive industry will be waiting with bated breath for NGT to come out with a decision. Vishnu Mathur, Director, SIAM has commented that if the ban on diesel cars does come into force, then the production of diesel cars in India will be taking a very big hit.
