CAQM Admits No Study Done on Pollution from Overage Vehicles Behind Delhi-NCR Ban


New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has admitted it has not conducted any research or study on pollution caused by diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years — the categories at the centre of the “end-of-life” (EoL) vehicle ban in Delhi-NCR.

In its reply to an RTI query filed by environmentalist Amit Gupta, the CAQM said no such assessment had been undertaken. It clarified that the ban stems from judicial orders — the National Green Tribunal’s ruling in Vardhman Kaushik vs Union of India & Ors and the Supreme Court’s judgment in M C Mehta vs Union of India & Ors — rather than any in-house scientific study.

Last month, the CAQM deferred until October 31 its earlier directive barring fuel stations in Delhi from supplying petrol or diesel to overage vehicles. The decision followed the Delhi government citing “operational and infrastructural challenges” in implementing the measure from July 1.

EoL vehicles — diesel over 10 years old and petrol over 15 years old, regardless of registration state — number about 62 lakh in Delhi alone, including 41 lakh two-wheelers. Across NCR, around 44 lakh such vehicles are concentrated mainly in Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Sonipat.

The July directive had proposed starting the fuel ban in these five high-density districts from November 1 using Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, before expanding across NCR from April 1 next year. However, Delhi informed CAQM of software glitches, faulty sensors, camera placement issues, and incomplete integration with neighbouring states’ databases in the ANPR system, which is meant to cross-check number plates with the VAHAN registry.

The Supreme Court and NGT have previously criticised authorities over delays in phasing out old, polluting vehicles despite repeated orders. The Delhi government has now moved a review petition in the apex court, seeking reconsideration of the 2018 order upholding the overage vehicle ban.

Insight News
Author: Insight News

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