Scientific approach is required to tackle air pollution in Delhi: ARAI

The ban on diesel vehicles (of 2000cc and above) in Delhi-NCR, which was first announced on December 16, 2015, has been upheld by the Supreme Court today. This ban is aimed at tackling the very serious air pollution problem in the national capital.

Though Rashmi Urdhwareshe, director of the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) would not comment on whether the ban on diesel is a right step or not, she feels that a step based on scientific data is more the need of the hour than a "drastic" step like a ban.

In an exclusive interview with Autocar Professional, Urdhwareshe says, "The old vehicles contribute more (pollution) obviously because on account of their own design limitations as well as poor maintenance of these vehicles. The action plan should be to weed out those vehicles either by completely banning it or through inspection and maintenance verification and declare them unfit to run. That's the scientific way of doing it."

It is reported that around 400,000 BS IV diesel vehicles with engines of 2000cc or above are sold in the country every year, out of which 5-8 percent are sold in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Along with the ban by the Supreme Court, there is also the odd-even rule implemented by the Delhi government. While the move has seen participation by citizens, it has not managed to make a positive impact on the air quality. According to a report dated January 5 on IndiaSpend -- a data journalism initiative, all but one of its 17 sensors across the National Capital Region recorded “severe”, or the worst-possible level of air pollution, with some sensors registering record highs.

Clearly, steps that curb all contributors of pollution should be drafted to achieve the desired result of clearing the air in the national capital as well as other polluted parts of India.

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