NEW DELHI: Deregistration of 15-year-old diesel vehicles, ban on constructions and demolitions till November 14, restriction on entry of over-loaded trucks not destined for Delhi, shutting down of all polluting industries and ban on crackers are some of the key decisions which were taken by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung while convening a high-level meeting to bring down air pollution in the national capital.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, environment minister Imran Hussain and representatives from other agencies.
A senior official at the L-G office said decisions taken on Monday will be reviewed in the next meeting on November 15. Due to deregistration of 15-year-old diesel vehicles, about 2 lakh vehicles will go off the national capital’s roads.
Apart from that, ban on construction and demolition activities will continue till November 14 and overloaded trucks will not allowed in the national capital.
The L-G has also issued strict action against polluting industries running in Delhi particularly in non-conforming areas and directed the MCD and the Delhi Police to jointly launch operations to shut down all such industries.
The move comes a day after Mr Kejriwal announced closure of all schools till Wednesday, ban on construction and demolition activities for next five days and temporary closure of Badarpur Power Plant.
In its July order, the National Green Trib-unal (NGT) had directed Delhi government to de-register diesel vehicles older than ten years. Later, the NGT had directed the city administration to deregister 15-year-old diesel vehicles in first phase.
SC’s fight on air pollution
Through a series of measures, SC tried to stop increase in pollutants
Apr 20, 2015: SC bans 10/15 year old motor vehicles in Delhi
Oct 9, 2015: SC slaps levy of environment cess of Rs 700 to Rs 1,300 on vehicles passing through Delhi, bans entry of heavy commercial vehicles
Dec 16, 2015: Bans registration of diesel luxury sedans and SUVs of 2000 cc and above in Delhi. Grants time till March 31, 2016 for all taxis including those operating under aggregators like Ola and Uber in the NCT of Delhi, plying under city permits to shift to C.N.G. This time was extended up to April 30.
Apr 30, 2016: Bans diesel taxis and commercial vehicles from May 1.
May 9, 2016: Directs Punjab/ Haryana not to allow farmers biomass burning and construction wastes near capital
Aug 12, 2016: Allows sale of SUVs on payment of surcharge on value of vehicle
