The air quality in Delhi turned ‘severe plus’ over the weekend with a toxic haze descending in many areas. Authorities have imposed stringent measures under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan — with additional curbs coming into effect from December 18. The latest changes will see vehicles denied refuelling without a pollution control certificate, a ban on entry of older vehicles and widespread remote-working policies.
“It is impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in 9-10 months. I apologise for the pollution in Delhi. We are doing better work than the dishonest AAP government, and we have reduced AQI each day. This disease of pollution is given to us by the Aam Aadmi Party, and we are working to fix it,” Environmental Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Tuesday.
What are the changes?
The Delhi government will implement a stringent “no PUCC, no fuel” policy from Thursday. All private vehicles with engine standards below BS VI will also be denied entry into Delhi. Officials have identified 126 checkpoints and more than 500 policemen have been deployed at fuel pumps across the national capital. Teams from the Delhi Traffic Police and the transport department were deployed at city border points on Wednesday — with chaos likely to erupt once thousands of private vehicles are denied entry. The BJP-led government has also announced an overhaul of the Pollution Under Control Certificate system and development of a car-pooling app to ease vehicular congestion.
Checkpoints, auto recognition of number plates
Enforcement teams from the transport department have been assigned to various petrol pumps alongside hundreds of police officers to maintain law and order situation. A senior officer told PTI that the transport department has around 80 enforcement teams that will also be deployed at border points in Kundi, Rajokri, Tikri, Aya Nagar, Kalindi Kunj, Auchandi, Mandoli, Kapashera and Bajghera toll/Dwarka Expressway for strict compliance.
Automatic number plate recognition and on-ground checks will be conducted to verify PUCC status and emission category of vehicles. Those without a valid PUCC will not be able to purchase fuel at petrol pumps from Thursday. Public announcements will also be made at petrol pumps to inform vehicle owners about PUCC compliance. Special camps have been set up — with around 500 personnel deployed in neighbouring cities.
“Our teams will cover every border checkpoint. Only BS VI private vehicles of any state registration with a proper pollution certificate entering from the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana sides will be permitted to enter the capital. Strict action will be taken against anyone found violating the rule,” the officer said.
Ramping up public transportation
Efforts are also being made to improve the public transit system and reduce congestion on Delhi roads. Environment Minister Sirsa announced on Wednesday that the government was working to develop an integrated traffic management system and a car-pooling application to ease commuter woes. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation also said that it has increased its train frequency following the implementation of GRAP in the national capital — with plans for additional trains in case there was requirement from Thursday.
“Currently, it happens that even if there is a long jam, the traffic light will remain red for a certain period. This aggravates jams. We are working on a system wherein if there is a jam, the duration for which the traffic signal remains red can be reduced…We are trying to bring a car-pooling app that is easy for people to download and use,” Sirsa confirmed during a presser on Wednesday.
Civic improvements
Sirsa announced that the government will provide Rs 2,700 crore over 10 years to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for procuring mechanical road sweepers and litter pickers.
The minister said the government has decided to hire a third-party agency to monitor potholes throughout the city. Under the proposed system, the agency will conduct year-long surveys, travel across Delhi, identify potholes, click photographs and submit data to the authorities. He indicated that a tender has been issued by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee for this purpose.