Delhi AQI: The national capital is currently grappling with dangerous air pollution, and this decision has been taken because of that. Environment Minister Sirsa said that starting Thursday, only BS-IV vehicles coming from outside Delhi will be allowed entry. Vehicles below this level will be prohibited.
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Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Tuesday that petrol and diesel will not be sold at pumps from Thursday without a valid Pollution Control Certificate (PUCC). The national capital is currently grappling with dangerous air pollution, and this decision was taken due to the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining in the “severe” category for three consecutive days and falling into the “very poor” category on Tuesday.
Environment Minister Sirsa said that starting Thursday, only BS-IV grade vehicles coming from outside Delhi will be allowed entry. Vehicles below this level will be prohibited. He also said that trucks carrying construction materials, such as sand, gravel, soil, and cement, will also face heavy fines and vehicle confiscation.
Citing official data, news agency PTI reported that of the total number of challans issued by police personnel on the ground in September, 54,615 were for driving without PUC, which is 17%. The number was also shockingly high in October, when a total of 68,986 PUC challans (23%) were issued.
Sirsa was addressing a press conference on Tuesday on the serious issue of pollution in the capital when he said, “Today the AQI is 363, which falls in the severe category, and it has remained at this level for the last 10 years. Last year on this day the AQI was 380, while today it is 363.”
Impossible to reduce AQI in 9-10 months: Environment Minister
Sirsa blamed the previous government for this failure, saying, “The Aam Aadmi Party has given Delhi this problem for the last 10 years.”
According to ANI, the minister further said, “The pollution crisis cannot be solved in a few months. It is impossible for any elected government to reduce the AQI in 9-10 months. I apologize for the pollution in Delhi. We are doing better than the dishonest AAP government and we have reduced the AQI every day. This pollution problem was given to us by the Aam Aadmi Party, and we are working to fix it.”
Air quality in Delhi has improved slightly, falling into the “very poor” category due to reduced fog and increased wind speed. The 24-hour average AQI at 8 am was 377. Light fog prevailed across the city, which was less dense than the previous day.
