Pollution: Delhi bans truck entry for 3 days
The ban covers trucks that weigh more than 7,500 kg, police to stop trucks 20km from Capital’s borders
The Delhi government has banned the entry of heavy and medium goods vehicles from Thursday night till 11pm on Sunday in order to control the alarming pollution levels in the city.
In a notification issued by the state transport department on Thursday, the government also urged owners of private diesel vehicles to avoid using their cars during the three-day period.
According to data with the traffic police, approximately 60,000 trucks enter the city every night, all of which are run on diesel. The ban covers trucks that have a gross vehicle weight of more than 7,500 kg.
“Directions have been issued to the traffic police and municipal corporations to enforce the ban. But, vehicles carrying raw vegetables, fruits, grains, milk, egg, ice, salt, etc that are to be used as food items are exempted. Also, tankers carrying petroleum products will be exempted from this ban,” said KK Dahiya, special commissioner (transport).
The ban on trucks is being implemented on the directions of the Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA).
Delhi Traffic Police said they are already in talks with the police in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana so that trucks can be stopped about 20km before Delhi’s borders.
Delhi Traffic Police chief Alok Kumar said deployment of police personnel will be increased at entry points.
“We are also roping in police teams from UP and Haryana to stop the heavy vehicles headed to the national capital,” he said.
GOVT ALSO URGED OWNERS OF PRIVATE DIESEL VEHICLES TO AVOID USING THEIR CARS FOR THREE DAYS