Amid public outrage over the worsening Air Quality Index in Delhi, the city government on Tuesday banned all outside vehicles from Thursday that do not comply with Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission norms.
When asked about public outrage over the AQI, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that these measures were taken in response to the worsening AQI.
Speaking to News18, Sirsa added that “all these measures are being imposed keeping in mind the public.”
This decision will impact thousands of cars that come to Delhi from neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana everyday. A large volume of traffic from Ghaziabad, Noida and Gurugram enters Delhi every day for work.
The Delhi government has also warned vehicle owners with invalid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC).
“From Thursday, no vehicles with invalid PUCC will be allowed petrol at pumps in Delhi…also, only BS-VI vehicles from outside Delhi will be permitted to enter from Thursday,” Sirsa added.
Addressing the media, Sirsa said that people will have just one day to comply with these orders.
Explaining the ban on vehicles below BS-6, he said that the order applies to all private vehicles. Such vehicles will be seized if they enter the city, he added.
“Our government is dedicated to providing clean air to the people of Delhi. Our government will not hesitate to take stricter action in the future,” he said while addressing the media.
The decision from the Delhi government came at a time when the AQI has remained above 300 for over a month and a half.
A series of protests were held around the city and environment experts have also accused the government of not doing enough and depending only on GRAP actions which are emergency measures that come into force after the AQI crosses certain levels.
‘Unrealistic Expectations’
Sirsa added that it was unrealistic to expect any elected government to bring down air pollution within a short period of eight to ten months. He blamed the Aam Aadmi Party government for the issue and claimed that they are doing better work than the AAP government.
“Compared to last year, the AQI this time was better and we have reduced AQI each day. This disease of pollution is given to us by the Aam Aadmi Party, and we are working to fix it.”
Highlighting the efforts of his government, he said they are focusing on cleaner public transport and plans to deploy 7,500 electric buses in Delhi to further curb vehicular pollution.
In addition, a scientific committee has also been formed and has already held meetings to suggest effective pollution-control measures.
