Plan to let only CNG vehicles in Delhi

Concerned over alarmingly high pollution levels in the national capital, the Supreme Court-appointed environment authority yesterday warned it would enforce a complete ban on non-CNG vehicles plying in Delhi if the air quality continued to deteriorate.

In a letter to Chief Secretary of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, Environment Protection Control Authority chairman Bhure Lal said it is not possible to distinguish between diesel and other fuelled vehicles. “In the scenario that the weather remains adverse and that the current situation of air quality remains in ‘very poor’ or ‘severe category’ then there is no option but to direct for a complete stop on the use of private and commercial vehicles other than those plying on CNG so that pollution can be contained,” Lal said in the letter.

“CNG vehicles have stickers and it is understood that all public transport vehicles are fuelled by CNG. In this situation, these vehicles will be available for movement,” he said.