Delhi's Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, has called upon the central government to impose stringent regulations to ban buses running on poor-quality diesel in the National Capital Region (NCR), encompassing areas of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. This plea comes amidst concerns over the worsening air quality in the nation's capital.
Minister Gopal Rai highlighted the significance of vehicular emissions in contributing to Delhi's air pollution crisis. In Delhi, buses exclusively operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) and electricity. However, buses from neighboring states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan still run on older-generation BS III and BS IV diesel engines.
Starting from November 1, as per directions issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), only electric, CNG, and BS VI-compliant diesel buses will be allowed to ply between Delhi and cities in Haryana, UP, and Rajasthan that fall under the NCR.
"While CAQM has already issued strict directives in this regard, we urge the central government to enforce a comprehensive ban on BS III and BS IV buses operating in NCR regions of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan," Minister Rai emphasized.
In a proactive step to enforce these regulations, the Delhi government will issue notices to operators of BS III and BS IV buses entering Delhi from NCR regions of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
India has been making efforts to combat air pollution by introducing stricter emission standards. In April 2020, the Indian government announced that all vehicles sold in the country must comply with Bharat Stage VI (BS VI) emission standards. These standards are aligned with global best practices for reducing emissions from vehicles.
The concerns raised by Minister Gopal Rai come as Delhi's air quality continues to deteriorate. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at an average of 325, categorized as 'very poor' at 4 p.m. The neighboring city of Ghaziabad recorded a 'poor' AQI of 286, while Gurugram's air quality was deemed 'moderate' at 198. Noida, another neighboring city, reported 'poor' air quality with an AQI reading of 281.
In the heart of the national capital, Jahangirpuri experienced a 'severe' AQI of 409 at 5 p.m., and Narela registered a 'very poor' AQI of 373, as per the CPCB data.
The deteriorating air quality underscores the urgency of enforcing stricter regulations on vehicular emissions and transitioning to cleaner, more sustainable modes of transportation in the region. Minister Gopal Rai's call for a ban on low-quality diesel-powered buses is a step toward a cleaner and healthier future for Delhi and the NCR.
