Delhi would be the among the world’s first cities to introduce such strict measures after Lebanon banned diesel vehicles in 2001.
Advertisement
Emissions factor of the Automotive Research Association of India shows that diesel cars emit five times more particulate matter and seven times more total air toxins compared to petrol cars, the CSE said. “The company is in the process of evaluating various options to work within the framework provided by the honourable Supreme Court”, M&M said in a statement.
Vehicle sales are also soaring in an economically resurgent India, with 1,400 new cars, mostly run on diesel, added daily to Delhi’s streets. The other benefit that comes to Maruti and other players who deal only in smaller diesel vehicle is that the National Green Tribunal’s recent order banning sale of diesel cars till January 6 stands modified with the SC’s order.
Delhi is considered to have some of the most polluted air in the world, as measured by levels of tiny particles that can find their way deep in the lungs and that cause lasting health problems.
It has also ordered for the diversion of commercial vehicles not bound for Delhi as mainly trucks which pass through Delhi have been found to be the major sources of vehicular emissions in the city. The magnitude of the pollution tax is likely to depend on the vehicle price and this move is set to drive up the new auto prices in Delhi.
During the three-hour-long hearing yesterday, the Supreme Court bench indicated support to the odd-even formula proposed by the Delhi government to tackle growing air pollution in the national capital, which is now being described as “a gas chamber”. “In light of this, the Supreme Court order banning private diesel passenger vehicles and SUVs of 2,000 cc engine capacity and above, is most unfortunate”, SIAM said in a statement. The Supreme Court said the NCT Government shall install its own CCTV cameras at nine entry points and also organise surprise visits to oversee the collection of ECC and other necessary arrangements.
Advertisement
“This action on diesel vehicles was absolutely needed”, said Anumita Roy Chowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment, an independent think-tank. The court has also set a deadline of April 1 for the Delhi government and civic bodies to vacuum clean streets, fix pavements, build new ones and stop burning bio-wastes. According to the Delhi government, cars with odd registration number can surf roads on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while those with even numbers can do it on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
