The 10 steps aimed at curbing rising air Pollution levels in Delhi

These are some of the steps the administration and the courts took to reduce pollution levels in
Delhi

The Supreme Court noted that traffic policemen are most affected by pollution in Delhi
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Over the past month, there have been repeated calls from environmentalists and activists for
drastic measures on part of the administration to clean the toxic air in Delhi, considered the
worlds most polluted city. Studies have shown that vehicular emissions and dust from
construction sites account for rising air pollution levels and smog in the city.

This year, the outcry has seen a slew of measures proposed by the state government as well as
the Supreme Court of India so as to ensure that future generations are not harmed by the air.
The following are some of these measures:

1. The Delhi government has proposed the odd/even rule wherein cars with odd-numbered
registration plates would ply on odd dates and those with even-numbered registration plates
would do so on even dates. The idea is to reduce congestion as well as to reduce pollution
resulting from vehicular emissions.
Cars plying in Delhi, NCR

2. The top court has asked the Centre to supply the Delhi traffic police with proper masks. The
court noted that the policemen, who stand for long hours at traffic signals, should be supplied
with masks so that their health is not compromised.

3. The Supreme Court has also banned the registration of luxury SUVs and diesel cars above
2000cc in the national capital. Diesel cars are believed to be a major source of vehicular
emissions. A bench headed by the Chief Justice had noted that it was not fair for rich people to
buy luxury cars and thus pollute Delhi.

4. The green cess on commercial vehicles entering Delhi has been hiked by the top court by a
whopping 100 per cent. The SC-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority has directed
the Delhi government to install boards notifying the new cess in 125 toll booths across Delhi.
5. The top court has ordered that all taxis plying in the city must convert to CNG from March
next year. Also, commercial vehicles which are registered before 2005 wont be allowed to enter
the national capital.

6. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued directions to all authorities to strictly
implement earlier orders regarding the ban on burning of waste and fine on emission of
construction dust. The bench called for an action taken report as well as a list of offenders
from all authorities on the next date of hearing.

7. The NGT has asked the central and state government not to buy diesel vehicles for its
personnel. It also asked public administration departments and municipal bodies to take efforts
to gradually phase out diesel vehicles.

8. In a separate order, the NGT directed the state governments of Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan,
Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to immediately ban the burning of crop residue. In earlier orders, the
NGT had noted that the practice was contributing to the rising air pollution in the NCR.
 (Source:
Express photo by Ravi Kanojia)

9.
To give alternative modes of transport to people during the odd-even rule, the government said
it would add 1,000 more buses in three months. Also, 9,000 CNG contract carriages will be
roped into Delhi to augment public transport.

10.

The Delhi government has imposed an environment compensation penalty of Rs 50,000 on 38

major projects across the city for causing dust pollution. Officials said notices have been sent to
all the projects. While a few of the projects have replied asking for reconsideration of the
compensation fee, 26 of them are yet to file their replies.