Press Trust of India
New Delhi, Dec 3: Amid rising concerns over pollution level in the capital and other cities in India, the government plans to ban trucks and busses older than 15 years from plying on the roads across the country. The Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways has initiated consultations on the matter and a final decision is expected to be taken once minister Nitin Gadkari reviews the consequences of the proposal, according to sources. There is already a notification under which all commercial vehicles under National Permit which are more than 15-years old are not allowed, they said.
“In the wake of growing concerns over safety and environment pollution, a proposal is there to ban all commercial vehicles irrespective of the fact whether they have National Permit or not,” an official source said. Secretary, Road Transport and Highways, Vijay Chhibber has already held consultations with stakeholders and others in this regard to ban all commercial vehicles of more than 15 years old. On how soon the move could be implemented, the source said, “This is in consideration stage only and a final call will be taken by Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari after reviewing the consequences of the proposal.” “It is in view of the fact that old vehicles, including school buses are prone to accidents due to defects. Besides old vehicles of more than 15 years cause much more environment pollution due to outdated and faulty emission system,” the source added.
The development comes at a time when the national capital has been engulfed by smog cover in the past few days which raised concerns over increasing levels of pollution in the city. A report by WHO last year had stated that Delhi was the most polluted city in the world when it came to air quality. The National Green Tribunal on April 7 had held that all diesel vehicles which were over 10 years would not be permitted to ply in Delhi-NCR. Dismayed at increasing air pollution in the national capital, the tribunal had banned all vehicles which were more than 15 years old from plying on the city roads. The order was also upheld by the Supreme Court.
In August, Gadkari had said the government was considering giving financial incentives of up to Rs 1.5 lakh on surrender of over-ten-year-old vehicles to check pollution and address road safety concerns.
