Delhi govt scrutinising petrol pumps for pollution control

The Environment Department of the Delhi government is reviewing petrol pumps across the Capital to find out whether they are following guidelines issued by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

"We are scrutinising the working of petrol pumps in the city. DPCC has issued guidelines for them and every petrol pump must follow these norms," said Imran Hussain, Delhi Environment.

Hussain directed his Department and the DPCC to conduct sudden inspections at petrol pumps across the city. Various teams have been formed for this purpose.

The decision has been taken to ensure proper functioning and efficiency of vapour recovery system installed in petrol pumps, as per the DPCC guidelines.

"DPCC is the prime body which formed guidelines for petrol pumps to control the pollution level in Delhi.

"The government's job is to make sure that every pump is following the norms," Hussain said.

According to sources in the Department, there have been complaints against some of the petrol pumps in the city, most of which pertain to irregularities and violation of environmental norms.

"We have received various complaints against many pumps and have discussed the matter with the DPCC," the Minister said.

Earlier this year, DPCC and the Environment Department chaired a high-level meeting to formulate guidelines for proper inspection of petrol pumps.

According to DPCC, vapour installation system is one of the most important measures to check pollution from petrol pumps. The Committee had earlier directed oil companies to install the system at every pump in Delhi.

Talking to Millennium Post, Hussain said: "I have directed that every petrol pump should install the said system within the end of this September."

The Minister also assured that to maintain the environmental balance in the city, any violations of pollution norms will not be tolerated.