Indus Valley Times

NEW DELHI,NOV 8: The Delhi government on Wednesday announced a ban on the entry of app-based cabs registered in other states after the Supreme Court’s remarks. A separate order on when the ban will kick in will be issued by the Delhi Transport Department.

According to the Delhi government’s order, only cabs bearing the registration number of Delhi will be allowed to ply within the city.

The development came as the overall air quality in Delhi slipped back to the ‘severe’ category today, only a day after showing a marginal improvement when it was in the ‘very poor’ category.

The city’s overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 421 at 7 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

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The Supreme Court has been passing a slew of directions every year to assuage the concerns of people grappling with the problem of air pollution, especially in the months of October and November in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

On Tuesday, Gahlot said polluting vehicles were entering the city freely despite restrictions under GRAP stage IV being in place in view of hazardous air quality and directed officials to ensure proper checking at the borders.

Restrictions under GRAP stage IV, including a ban on all kinds of construction work and the entry of polluting trucks into the capital, kicked in on Sunday after air quality in the capital dropped to “severe plus” (AQI above 450) levels.

He also noted that the Supreme Court was monitoring the pollution situation in Delhi very closely and cautioned that “any laxity in this regard may invite strictures”.

The directive has been marked to Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) chairman, Principal Secretary, Environment and Transport Commissioner.

Speaking to India Today about the ban on app-based cabs, Advocate on Record of Supreme Court Ashwani Dubey said, “Even Honourable courts have found the major contributor to Delhi-NCR air pollution is agricultural and crop residue which is being burnt by farmers of Punjab and Haryana. The National Green Tribunal in Delhi has passed directions under the Air Pollution Act, banning crop burning. Despite that, the practice is on and banning taxis, which are one of the major sources of commuting for children and women, is creating issues.”

“The blanket ban on taxis is creating a problem in Delhi-NCR. In fact, a ban on older vehicles owned by individuals should have been there but the state government’s ban on taxis is creating a problem. Taxis with pollution certificates and PUC should be allowed to ply. Instead of working on crop burning, when we know diesel vehicles are not causing much pollution in Delhi, taxis with pollution checks should be allowed,” the advocate said.

-PTI