Around 100 vehicles impounded after NGT ban on old diesel cars

Delhi Police on Wednesday impounded around 100 vehicles in compliance with the National Green Tribunal's order putting a ban on plying of diesel-run vehicles of more than 10 years old in the national capital.

"Ninety-six vehicles were impounded in compliance with NGT order till 4 pm today. Full scale drive will continue till midnight with Town Inspectors, ACPs and DCPs in the field for prosecuting errant vehicles. All entry points of Delhi is being covered," said Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander.

In a significant step to improve ambient air quality, the National Green Tribunal had on Tuesday held that all diesel vehicles which are more than 10 years old would not be permitted to ply in Delhi.

Noting that diesel is prime source of air pollution in Delhi, the Tribunal said the situation is so alarming that people have been even advised to leave Delhi due to adverse effects on health.

"A number of countries like Brazil, China, Denmark etc are in the process or have prohibited diesel vehicles or are in the process of doing away with them and imposing stringent taxes on the vehicles.

"We have already noticed that certain stringent measures need to be taken to ensure that residents of Delhi do not travel closer to ill-health with each breath they take. Thus, we direct all diesel vehicles, heavy or light, which are ten years old will not be permitted on the roads of Delhi and NCR," a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar had said.

The Tribunal had also directed the Transport Department of Delhi government and other concerned authorities to prepare a comprehensive data of registration of all such vehicles which are 10 or more years old.