Delhi Car Ban Alert: A new set of stringent measures to reduce air pollution in the nation’s capital has been unveiled by the Delhi administration. These measures include a ban on fuel for cars without a current Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate and limitations on the admission of non-BS-VI vehicles from outside the city. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced the actions, which take effect on Thursday, as Delhi continues to experience poor to severe air quality.
Delhi Announces Strict Car Ban & Fuel Curbs: Check Which Vehicles Are Allowed
Only BS-VI vehicles from outside Delhi will be allowed to enter the city starting on Thursday. Refueling at gas or diesel pumps is prohibited for vehicles without a current Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. The entry of any other older cars from outside Delhi into the nation’s capital will be prohibited. Strict enforcement will be in place at entry points and gas stations, but residents with conforming vehicles are free to move and refuel normally within the city.
No Fuel For Cars That Don’t Have PUC
According to Sirsa, car owners have one day to abide by the PUC regulation. “Vehicles without a valid PUC certificate will not receive fuel after tomorrow,” he declared. Challans are being issued for PUC infractions as part of the government’s tough enforcement.
Delhi GRAP-4 Limitations
After air quality values drastically declined into the severe or severe plus category in recent days, authorities in Delhi and the National Capital Region implemented the strictest level of pollution management under the Graded Response Action Plan, known as GRAP-4.
This led to the implementation of emergency measures, such as limiting the entry of heavy vehicles, reducing office attendance through work-from-home orders, and switching to online or hybrid learning for a number of grades. In order to reduce the public’s exposure to dangerous air, outdoor activities and physical sports programs were also halted.
Dense smog and poisonous air conditions, with the Air Quality Index above hazardous levels and posing health risks to children, the elderly, and those with respiratory diseases, were the driving forces behind the action.
Delhi’s Response to Sources of Pollution
According to Sirsa, the government is reducing pollution on a regular basis. He mentioned actions like cleaning and reclaiming 45 acres of land and reducing the height of garbage mountains by 15 meters. He stated that over 2,000 pollution-monitoring units have been deployed thus far by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
According to the minister, the government has called in relevant organizations to handle the 13 pollution hotspots in the city. With the exception of the Covid period, he asserted that the AQI readings at these areas were lower this year than they had been throughout the previous ten years.
Encourage the Use of Cleaner Transportation
According to Sirsa, the government intends to install 7,500 electric buses in Delhi as part of its focus on cleaner public transportation. This would lessen vehicle pollution, he claimed. In order to provide practical ways to reduce pollution, a scientific committee has also been established and has already convened.
According to Sirsa, biomethanation plants are another source of pollution. In order to lower emissions and guarantee cleaner operations, he continued, the government has installed heaters at these sites.
Delhi’s AQI is Challenge
According to the minister, compared to the same period last year, Delhi’s air quality was better for over eight months this year. Although he acknowledged that pollution levels had gotten worse recently, he claimed that because to the current government’s persistent efforts over the previous 10 months, the situation is still better than it was last year.
Sirsa accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of trying to deflect attention by holding rallies over pollution after “distorting Delhi.” He asked what actions the party had made to reduce pollution while it was in office.