The city's transport department took this unprecedented step after it got a rap on its knuckles from the Supreme Court on October 29
In order to curb the air pollution in the national capital, the Delhi government on Thursday deregistered nearly 40 lakh vehicles registered beyond 10 and 15 years respectively in the Capital. With air quality turning 'severe' on Tuesday with an Air Quality Index of 401, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed scales dipping on Thursday from 'severe' to the brink of 'very poor' as AQI touched 393.
The city's transport department took this unprecedented step after it got a rap on its knuckles from the Supreme Court on October 29 to crack the whip on old polluting vehicles running on diesel for over 10 years and on petrol for over 15 years. Although the order in this regard was issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) way back in April 2015, the SC caught the Transport Department napping and ordered immediate compliance on the NGT's direction. This order was even approved by the SC in May 2015.
Advocate Syed Wasim Qadri appearing on behalf of the Delhi Transport department told a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur, Mohan M Shantanagouder and S Abdul Nazeer that the order had been implemented. Out of 1.10 crore vehicles registered in the Capital, a total of 40 lakh vehicles were identified as per NGT order and deregistered. These include cars and two-wheelers.
The department also informed the Court that the Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) to monitor movement of 10-year old trucks and goods vehicles entering Delhi has been installed at 13 entry points into Delhi. Out of the 13 points, RFID was installed only at Aya Nagar. Turn to P4
According to amicus curiae advocate Aparajita Singh assisting the Court in the matter, phasing out old petrol, diesel vehicles in Delhi and RFID installation is a big success in the effort to curb pollution.
A public notice issued by Transport Department on October 30 mentioned the 40 lakh registration numbers that are phased out. In addition, this information has been put out on the department's website too. But Aparajita said, "While it is true that these 40 lakh vehicles cannot ply on Delhi roads, identifying them will be a challenge." The body assisting Court on environment issues – Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) had suggested introduction of colour-coded stickers based on fuel use for all vehicles in Delhi. The Centre is working on this plan and even proposed blue sticker for petrol and orange for diesel vehicles. But at present, it will be difficult to spot vehicles in random.
According to Alok Kumar, Joint Commissioner (Traffic), Delhi Police, "Our ongoing special drives will now primarily focus on the vehicle's registration number to check if they have been de-registered or not. Vehicles which look old and are seen on the roads will also be checked."
At present, the ban on old petrol and diesel cars applies only to Delhi-NCR and not the rest of the country. There is a possibility that the deregistered cars and bikes in Delhi will be sold elsewhere in the country. The apex court on December 16, 2016 allowed old diesel and petrol vehicles to be sold outside NCR after obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Delhi's transport department.
On spotting pollution in the Capital or such polluting vehicles, even citizens can inform the authorities. The CPCB launched Twitter handle "CPCB Official" and a Facebook account as well meant for citizens to report instances of pollution.
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