Right ahead of Diwali, the national capital has adopted measures for a somewhat pollution free Delhi. On Saturday, the city started a toll for all commercial vehicles as well as trucks so as to improve the air quality.
During the day, trucks are banned from entering the national capital. However, at night after 8 pm, more than 50,000 freely enter the city. According to the Centre for Science and Environment, Lorries result in one-third of Delhi’s pollution.
In the past, successive Delhi governments have faced the music for not being able to tackle pollution in the national capital. Currently, the air quality of New Delhi is even worse than that of the previously most polluted city, Beijing.
Earlier this year, WHO put Delhi in the top spot of the world’s most polluted cities in the world. Out of 20 most polluted cities, 13 of them belonged to India. While Beijing saw a dip of 40 percent in the pollution levels since the year 2000, Delhi has climbed a 20 percent high at the same time.
Many have expressed their grave doubts about how effectively will the order be taken forward. Previously, authorities have failed to implement Supreme Court’s order of banning trucks in the city. According to Greenpeace India, the order will only divert the pollution and not curb it. The order does not include oil tankers, passenger vehicles, and trucks with food products.
More strict measures are needed to curb the pollution to a larger extent. Unfortunately, Diwali is around the corner, and with the next thread of endless firecrackers, the air quality will only deteriorate.
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