No new diesel vehicles will be registered in New Delhi: NGT

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said that no new diesel vehicles will be allowed to be registered in New Delhi. The move comes soon after it was declared that pollution levels in the Capital are much above acceptable levels. 

The NGT has also directed the central and state government against buying any new diesel vehicles for the department. 

Only on Thursday, the Supreme Court had agreed to examine a suggestion to ban entry of all diesel-run trucks, except those carrying essential goods, into the national capital while asking the Centre to come up with "common minimum acceptable programmes" on the issue after consulting all stakeholders. The apex court also observed that it was "very embarrassing" when visiting foreign dignitaries speak about the high pollution level.

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"This is very serious issue and we are earning a bad name in the world for Delhi being most polluted city," it said and agreed to examine the suggestion of senior advocate Harish Salve that as an interim measure, the entry of all kinds of diesel-run trucks into Delhi be banned for six weeks to see as to whether it makes "perceptible" change in the already worsened air quality.

Aam Aadmi Party recently announced the odd-even formula to restrict the number of vehicles on the road in New Delhi and encourage carpooling. The scheme will go on steam on January 1, and the Delhi government is expected to announce guidelines for the same, soon.