Let fitness, not age, be basis of diesel car ban: Transport department

NEW DELHI: If a ban on polluting diesel vehicles is to be implemented, the transport department wants it to be based on fitness and not age. While this could be a sensible proposition, most experts who attended the department's meeting on Tuesday are worried that lax pollution-under-control certification standards and manipulation of fitness certificates will ensure Delhi's air quality doesn't improve.

The transport department sought suggestions from IIT Delhi, Centre for Science and Environment, The Indian Foundation for Transport Research and Training, municipal corporations, NDMC and several other stakeholders on some big reforms.

According to sources, industry bodies and car manufacturers who attended the meeting were extremely reluctant about the proposal for a ban on old diesel vehicles. "They kept denying that diesel vehicles pollute. They were also on back foot when a parking fee hike was suggested. All companies said a ban on 10-year-old diesel vehicles was not necessary," said a participant at the meeting.

The transport department has asked for comments on increasing cess on diesel vehicles and on purchase of a second vehicle. The Delhi government in 2004 proposed a pollution cess of 2% on diesel vehicles, besides the 0.25 paisa cess on the fuel at stations. The government even contemplated hiking the 0.25 paisa cess to Re 1. However, it has stayed the same ever since. The pollution cess never took off. This time, however, the department may be more amenable to imposing the cess. "We are hamstrung by lack of personnel for enforcement. In such a scenario, a cess is easier to implement," said a senior department official.

The proposal to cap the number of registrations has been opposed by the government. "Implementation will be difficult. Owners will simply get the vehicle registered in neighbouring states. The government will lose a substantial amount of revenue," added the source.

Meanwhile, experts think the department should immediately detail how pollution-under-control certification standards can be tightened. "They currently do a smoke density test for all diesel vehicles irrespective of age and norms. Pre-Euro, Euro I, II and III are all subjected to the same test and they all clear it as it's extremely lax," said Anumita Roychowdhury of CSE's Clean Air programme. CSE has recommended surprise checks and rigorous audit of PUC centres in Delhi.