A stop to diesel cars

Earlier today the Supreme Court has issued the order to ban registration of diesel vehicles over 2000cc in Delhi till March 31, 2016.

Delhi’s air routinely worsens in the winter as residents start lighting fires to stay warm and as cooler air and clouds trap pollutants. The magnitude of the pollution tax is likely to depend on the vehicle price and this move is set to drive up the new auto prices in Delhi.

Furthermore, a three-month ban was placed on diesel cars which have a capacity of over 2,000 cc, including SUV’s and other private vehicles.

On the other hand, 100 percent increase in ECC would mean that light commercial vehicles with two axles loaded with goods will pay Rs.1,400 and loaded commercial vehicles with three and four axles will pay Rs.2,600 to enter Delhi.

The World Health Organisation has designated Delhi as the world’s most polluted city, more so than Beijing, with particulate matter 2.5 levels in the atmosphere more than 10 times the recommended safety limit.

The National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court has confirmed a ban on the sale of new diesel vehicles in the national capital.

Homegrown utility vehicles major Mahindra & Mahindra will also be hit hard by the ban as its popular models, including the XUV500, Scorpio, Xylo and Bolero, have engines above 2000 cc.

Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra tweeted: “So, even if we believe the decision on diesel vehicles isn’t optimal, we’ll honour it and develop vehicles that comply with their stipulations”.

The tiny particles – called PM2.5 – are of particular concern because, with diameters no greater than 2.5 micrometres, they are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs.

The court also announced, “A ban on registration of such vehicles will not, therefore, affect the common man or the average citizen in the city of Delhi”.

Diesel vehicles Environmentalists such as Ms Narain have identified diesel vehicles as Delhi’s worst polluters.

Among other measures, the government informed to have taken decisions like implementing odd-even vehicles number formula for curbing pollution between January 1 and January 15, 2016 and based on the experience, further decisions will be taken.

Successive governments in Delhi have faced scathing criticism for failing to come up with a strategy to tackle the smog.