Amid deteriorating air quality in Delhi, Environment
Minister Gopal Rai stated that all diesel buses running in Delhi-NCR which are
coming from other States will be banned from entry from November 1.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, “The Delhi Government
is working on all the parameters under the winter action plan. Last year, the
AQI on October 29 was 397, and yesterday it was 325. So, there has been an
improvement. We are trying to improve it further. The next 15 days are very
important, and we are preparing for them.
All the industrial units in Delhi have been shifted
from polluted fuel to natural gas. We have formed teams to monitor if anyone is
using polluted fuel. The ‘Red Light on, Gaadi off’ campaign is voluntary. I
appeal to the people of Delhi to turn off their vehicle’s engine when there is
a red signal.”
He further said from November 1, all the diesel buses
running in Delhi-NCR coming from outside are being directed to run on
alternative fuel.
Earlier, Rai urged the Centre to impose a stringent
ban on buses running on subpar diesel and put a ban on BS III and BS IV buses
operating in NCR areas of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The Environment Minister conducted a surprise
inspection of Kashmiri Gate ISBT for diesel buses coming from NCR States as per
the Delhi Government’s efforts to tackle vehicular pollution.
“The Environment Minister stated that the central
government should implement a complete ban on BS III and BS IV buses operating
in NCR areas of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Minister Gopal Rai
further informed that from November 1st, checking will be conducted by the
Transport Department at all entry points,” read the release from the office of
the minister.
Gopal Rai said, “At present, pollution generated from
vehicles is increasing. All buses in Delhi are running on CNG. More than 800
electric buses are also running in Delhi. However due to BS III and BS IV
diesel buses running in UP, Haryana, Rajasthan NCR area, pollution is
increasing in Delhi.
During the inspection at ISBT, it was found that all
the buses that have come here from UP and Haryana are BS III and BS IV buses.
None of the buses have come from there with electric and CNG. That is why we
demand that the Centre implement a complete ban on BS III and BS IV buses
operating in NCR areas of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.”
He mentioned that the drivers of diesel buses coming
from NCR States were made aware today that only electric, CNG and BS-VI buses
can come to Delhi from November 1.
From November 1, a checking campaign will be conducted
by the Transport Department at all entry points. Action will be taken against
any buses that do not follow the rules.
ANI
