The once happy diesel car owners in Delhi, who used to boast about how their choice of fuel is cheaper than petrol, are not-so-happy anymore. This is because diesel engines are being whooped left, right and centre by the Delhi government, Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT).
With so much going on, most of us are a little confused about what’s going to happen and how it’s going to be carried out. The Quint tried to understand what’s what and (after pulling our hair out in frustration), here’s what we figured out.
I heard the words ‘diesel vehicles’ and ‘ban’ in the same sentence. What was that about?
The sentence was trying to tell you that the Supreme Court has banned the registration of diesel cars and SUVs, with engines above 2000cc, in the national capital starting 1 January 2016 till 31 March 2016. Yes, it’s okay to be shocked.
But what about the diesel car that I was planning to buy before New Year’s Eve?
You have time till the new year kicks in. Buy that car and buy it now.
What if I really want to buy it between January and March?
The ban by the Supreme Court has been imposed in Delhi. Places like Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida (outside Delhi) can still sell diesel vehicles during this period.
What about commercial diesel vehicles?
They have not been spared either. Commercial vehicles will have to pay twice the green cess and a hiked pollution tax (Rs 1,400-Rs 2,600). Taxis running on CNG will still be able to ply in the city. Commercial Diesel Vehicles with a registration prior to 2005 have been banned, And If a commercial vehicle’s end destination is not Delhi – then it’s, you guessed it right, banned.
On a serious note, is the pollution in Delhi really that bad?
Yes. Diesel cars can legally emit 7.5 times more particulate matter into the air than the petrol versions and produce more toxic nitrogen dioxide, comparatively. According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report released in 2014, Delhi is the most polluted city in the world. The air quality was tested based on the amount of Particulate Matter (PM) present in the air. Delhi’s air has PM2.5 concentrations of 153 micrograms and PM10 concentrations of 286 micrograms – much more than the permissible limits, WHO said in the report.
The decision has been made, the gavel has fallen.
It’s time that we as citizens of the national capital of India realise our responsibilities and start using public transport, buy cycles instead of gas guzzling vehicles and start growing trees wherever we can.
If you’re thinking of simply going to the nearest dealership outside Delhi and buying yourself a swanky new diesel SUV, you may be making a choice between air-conditioned travel versus choking on Delhi’s air.
And if you need inspiration for innovative ways to travel to work, here’s our suggestion.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)