Environmentalists hail NGT ban on diesel cars

Hailing the recent order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) of enforcing a ban on the registration of new diesel vehicles in Delhi and also ordering non-renewal of registration of diesel vehicles which are 10-years-old, many environmentalists stated that maintaining a clean air in Delhi is the responsibility of both the government authorities and citizens.

“At a time when harmful effects of diesel-run vehicles have been highlighted, it is important for harsh and tough measures to be implemented,” said Polash Mukherjee of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Citing the example of Beijing’s ban on diesel vehicles from 2003, Mukherjee said: “For the safety of us and our future generations, it is important that we restrict the usage of diesel vehicles.”

Speaking on the importance of spreading awareness among the citizens, Vivek Chattopadhyay of CSE said: “It is important that citizens realise about the urgency of the situation only then can it help them follow the order more diligently. Even though there has been a brief reduction in sale of diesel vehicles, more needs to be done,” said Chattopadhyay. In the past, many environmentalists have criticised the government on lowering prices of diesel which resulted in increase of sale of diesel vehicles.

Many reports have also highlighted that pollution by two-wheelers and trucks mostly run on diesel are causing more harm to Delhi’s air than four-wheelers. The Delhi government in one of the steps to curb pollution has altered the entry timing of trucks from 9 pm to 11 pm. Many environmentalists also hailed the move of the directive of NGT to the state as well as the Central government of not buying any new diesel car for their departments. The process of reformation should begin from the top said one of the environmentalist.