Delhi: bans BS-VI automobiles from outside and implements the “No PUC, No Fuel” law as of right now
Delhi : government’s new ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ policy will take effect on Thursday as part of its efforts to reduce air pollution in the nation’s capital.
Additionally, starting on Thursday, only cars registered outside of Delhi that comply with BS-VI regulations will be permitted to enter the city; trucks transporting building supplies will still be prohibited. GRAP standards continue to prohibit construction activities, and those who violate them will face severe consequences.
The Delhi administration has announced a comprehensive set of emergency and long-term measures aimed at vehicle emissions, dust, garbage, and traffic congestion as the nation’s capital continues to suffer from extreme pollution.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said earlier on Wednesday that the administration was taking action on many fronts as citizens continued to be subjected to dangerous levels of pollution.
Speaking at a press conference, Sirsa announced that the Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) system would be completely redesigned, that third-party monitoring would be implemented, that a citywide carpooling app would be made available, that integrated traffic management reforms would be implemented, and that mechanized road cleaning equipment would be widely deployed.
The Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate issuance system is being redesigned by the Delhi government since the current centers are outdated and have several flaws. He promised to bring in a third-party monitoring system.
According to Sirsa, the deadline for car owners to get current PUC certifications was Wednesday. “From tomorrow, polluting vehicles will not be given fuel,” he said, adding that police deployment, voice alarms at gas stations, and ANPR cameras will guarantee compliance.
580 police officers and 37 Prakhar Vans have been deployed to 126 checkpoints, including border crossings, around Delhi in order to implement the fuel restriction.
Additionally, border crossings and gas stations will be manned by transportation department enforcement personnel. “Delhiites are requested not to argue with officers at petrol pumps or borders and checkpoints,” Sirsa said, urging civilians to comply. The future of your children and your own health depend on this action.
In an effort to lessen the burden on vehicles, the government has also required that 50% of employees in both public and private institutions work from home.
Additionally, the Delhi government is looking at collaborating with Google Maps and Map India to use real-time data to pinpoint areas of traffic congestion.
In order to investigate the development of an integrated traffic management system that may automatically modify traffic signals depending on real-time congestion, Sirsa said he presided over a high-level meeting with Google Maps representatives on Wednesday.
“This collaboration will allow us to use live traffic data to identify emerging hotspots, decongest roads faster and reduce vehicular idling emissions,” he said.
For focused action, the government intends to identify at least 100 traffic hotspots and vehicle pollution hotspots. According to Sirsa, there are now 62 pollution hotspots in Delhi, up from 13 under the previous AAP administration.
Sirsa said, “There are four sources of pollution in Delhi, vehicular, industrial, dust and solid waste.”
About 1,000 trash pickers and 300 water sprinklers will be operating across the city, while the Public Works Department has been instructed to deploy 70 mechanical road sweepers and water sprinklers.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi will get Rs 2,700 crore over ten years from the Delhi government to purchase mechanized sweepers and rubbish pickers.
In order to guarantee repairs within 72 hours, the PWD has also established a permanent pothole-monitoring system run by a third-party survey organization under an Annual Rate Contract arrangement. Given that potholes are a major source of dust pollution, the agency will carry out year-round surveys, locate potholes, take pictures, and provide real-time data.
A Memorandum of Understanding with IIT-Madras to discover and create “smog-eating” surfaces was also announced by the environment minister.
Nitrogen dioxide and dangerous hydrocarbons may be reduced by these titanium oxide-based photocatalytic coatings, which are currently in use in certain international cities. Selected parts of the city will be the sites of pilot testing.