Delhi: Deregistration of 15 year old diesel vehicles begins

As part of its plan to curb rising pollution levels in the national capital, the Delhi Government has started deregistering all diesel vehicles in the state that are more than 15 years old. The government estimates that around two lakh vehicles will be affected by this drive.

In July 2016, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had asked the Delhi Government to deregister all diesel vehicles over 10 years old. It was later decided that the process will be executed in a phased manner, starting from vehicles over 15 years old.

Pollution levels in Delhi and NCR have touched an all-time high as residents have been complaining about suffocation, breathing problems, and itching in the eyes. The city has been engulfed in smog since Diwali, thus putting pressure on the government to take stringent steps in this regard. The sudden rise in pollution levels is being attributed to farm fires in the neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab. However, various agencies have also pointed towards rising vehicular emissions and Diwali crackers as the reason behind the surge in pollutants in the air.

The Lt. Governor of Delhi recently headed a meeting of government officials and municipal corporation executives, in which the said decision to start phasing out old diesel vehicles from the city was taken. Schools in Delhi and NCR have been closed for three days, while all construction and demolition activities too have been halted for the time being.

Source: ET Auto