Delhi News: Fuel Ban on Older Vehicles Paused, New Policy in Works

The biggest news in Delhi News is that there would be a temporary hold-up on the implementation of the fuel ban on the old-vehicles policy as declared by the state government. Although the decision was intended to counter the increasing rate of pollution in the national capital, it had raised a clamour amongst the civilian population, particularly those who commuted daily and owners of old vehicles.

The Delhi Transport Department assured on Thursday that a previous order which required fuel limitations on more established petrol and diesel vehicles, is being held up by the government. As per the original proposal, the vehicles that were more than 15 years old in the case of petrol vehicles and more than 10 years old in the case of diesel vehicles were never supposed to operate within the limits of Delhi. This action has been criticized because of is degrading to small business owners, operators of public transport, and middle-class families.

What Prompted the Pause?

The main factors that have led the Delhi government to come up with reasons to stop the decision include public inconvenience and legal response, as well as the necessity to have a more inclusive policy. The governments have claimed that though the control of pollution is something that takes priority, any policy has to be supported by solutions that are viable and solutions that are definite on the side of the victims.

Environmentalists, members of civil society, and transport unions were vocal in the previous days, complaining that blanket application has a disproportionate impact on low-income communities, not providing them with sustainable ways to buy said EVs or reimburse their parking tickets with scrappage incentives or other incentive EV programs.

New Policy Expected Soon

Transport Ministry officials have already announced that a revised policy is in the pipeline, which should take into account not just air quality but also the actual socio-economic fabric of Delhi. The new policy is expected to include a mix of gradual introduction, encouragement of the use of electric vehicles, and more investment in mass transport.

The Delhi government is also likely to liaise with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the urban planning experts to design a more balanced approach.

Public Reactions

The announcement has caused different reactions. The call by environmental groups for the government never to relent on the course of zero pollution has been received like a thunderbolt by the citizens, who have asked the government to be more realistic and economically viable with a plan that will fill the economic gap.