In an affidavit submitted in the Supreme Court, the Delhi government has suggested the banning of registrations of diesel vehicles in the neighbouring states as well.
The government submitted a detailed plan to reduce air pollution in the national Capital. The government also emphasised that it was willing to take collection of environment tax from the concessionaire on the same terms and conditions which exists between the concessionaire and the MCDs.
“The issue of diesel vehicles can be successfully tackled if the registration of all diesel vehicles is banned by all neighbouring states in addition to Delhi. Otherwise, the problem will not be resolved as diesel vehicles will get registered by other state agencies,” said a statement of Delhi government. The plan was finalised in a high-level meeting chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday.
“A committee of representatives of Government of India, Delhi government and other stakeholders and experts should be constituted and the constitution of EPC should be revived and reconstituted,” demanded Delhi government.
The other measures to minimise air pollution in the city include vacuum cleaning of all PWD roads in Delhi starting from April 1, 2016 at regular intervals, plantation and putting grass on unpaved footpaths and central verges from the New Year, odd-even scheme and shutting down of coal-based Rajghat and Badarpur power stations.
The government has also proposed heavy fines on those trucks and vehicles that do not meet pollution standards as well as fines on the construction of multi-storey parking in the city. “We have also urged the court to direct DDA to allot lands to Delhi government to park more buses,” added a senior officer of Delhi government. The government has also proposed to slap challans on DDA V-C if burning of waste is reported from the banks of river Yamuna which comes under ‘o’ zone.
For the improvement of public transport facilities, Delhi government has revealed its plan to hire 4,000 contract and 2,000 school buses at the time of odd-even scheme in the city from January 1 to 15, 2016.
The government has also decided to take air samples from 200 places with stationary and hand-held machines besides putting display boards at these places to sensitise citizens about the issue.