The Delhi government has taken a firm stance on tackling the worsening air quality in the city, implementing stringent measures to protect public health. In a recent move, they have issued orders that prohibit vehicles with BS3 and BS4 engines, imposing an immediate fine of ₹20,000 for violations. This ban applies to both petrol and diesel vehicles and is part of a broader effort to address the pressing issue of air pollution.
In response to the escalating pollution concerns, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has introduced the GRAP III rules in the Delhi-NCR region. These regulations include a comprehensive ban on most construction and demolition activities within Delhi NCR, with exceptions for emergency services, government construction projects, and those deemed of strategic significance. It’s crucial for owners of vehicles adhering to Bharat stage emission standards 3 or 4 to be aware of these restrictions.
Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, has taken the initiative to address this issue on a broader scale. He has written a letter to Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, urging him to prohibit the entry of vehicles that do not meet BS-VI standards from neighboring states into Delhi-NCR.
Rai emphasized, “I am writing a letter to the central government, requesting the Union Environment Minister to convene an emergency meeting of the environment ministers from all five states immediately. The CAQM’s directives are not being adhered to in the states. While rules are being formulated, they are being violated across the entire NCR, presenting a challenge for all of North India.”
According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)-India, the overall air quality in Delhi has remained in the ‘severe’ category for the third consecutive day, with a reading of 504 on Saturday morning.
The city has already banned the use of petrol-powered vehicles that have been in operation for over 15 years and diesel-powered vehicles that have been in use for more than a decade. The government’s stringent measures aim to address the critical issue of air quality and its impact on public health.
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