Govt. to answer SC on rising pollution in the capital

The rapid growth in industries and population in Delhi considerably increased the level of pollution. Though CNG vehicles are on the road since a long but there has been a significant increase in environmental pollution. And one of the major factors is the rising number of diesel vehicles.

Seeking answer to the rising diesel motors, the apex court on Monday asked for response both from Centre and Delhi government. A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court seeking curbs on diesel vehicle to control the increasing air pollution; which is a major health hazard.

There are also several other public interest litigation filed to draw court’s attention towards rise in pollution in the capital. In fact the prime sources of air pollution of Delhi are vehicle and motor vehicles having diesel engines generate much chemical gases which causes various respiratory diseases including Asthma and lung cancer.

Diesel-run vehicles don’t meet the safe standard as they exhaust 10 times more harmful particles than petrol-run vehicles. Again the subsidy provided to diesel by the government is another objectionable issue of the petitioners as in advanced country the use of diesel run vehicle are decreasing day by day.

The capital now of the most sought after destination for commerce, industry and education which results in its increasing population. With this, the number of vehicles whether two wheelers or four wheelers have been growing alarmingly and as per government report more than 67 percent of air pollution comes from vehicles.

Though the introduction of CNG has brought down the pollution level to some extent but vehicular pollution has increased which is largely due to the consumption of diesel.

Delhi government in association with the Ministry of Environment and Forests had developed an action plan but that seems ineffective in pollution abatement.

Since the CNG was introduced to control pollution but the number of diesel vehicles will nullify the effort taken to lessen pollution level. Giving green signal to hear the PIL will certainly draw the attention of authorities and policy makers to the growing number of such vehicle.