By Tanisha Mohanty
The Delhi government will execute stringent measures, which include restricting non Bharat Stage 6 (BS-VI) vehicles from entering the capital city and mandatory Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates to refuel vehicles from Thursday onwards. The ‘severe’ AQI caused by increased vehicular pollution has led the state to take such action.
These measures are part of Stage IV– the highest level of regulation–of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) by the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has declared that all cars with engines below BS-VI will not be allowed entry. Furthermore, non-BS VI engine cars outside the city will be prohibited as well. CNG, LNG, and Electric Vehicles do not fall under this mandate. This regulation will allegedly affect more than 12 lakh vehicles in NCR.
The ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ mandate will disallow vehicles without a PUC from refueling at petrol stations. The state has set up Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, 580 policemen, and 37 ‘Prakhar’ personnel at checkpoints across the city to enforce the regulation. Petrol pumps have been warned of the new regulations as well.
Further regulations include a work-from-home policy for 50% employees across offices, apart from emergency services. The rule does not apply to hospitals, fire services, transport facilities and sanitation services. Construction material-carrying vehicles have also been banned, as stated by the environment minister. Demolition and other construction work have also been stopped temporarily. Non-compliance would lead to penalization and seizures.
The state aims to lower the AQI from the 300-400 range and improve living conditions. However, these measures have been opposed by commuters, the petrol dealers’ body, and construction workers who will face immense loss.