Mumbai Air Pollution: Maharashtra Govt Mulls Ban on Petrol, Diesel Vehicles, Forms Expert Panel

0
33

Amid worsening air quality in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the Maharashtra government has established a seven-member committee to explore the possibility of phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles and transitioning to CNG and electric alternatives. The panel has been tasked with submitting its recommendations within three months.

The committee, led by retired IAS officer Sudhir Srivastava, includes the Transport Commissioner, Joint Police Commissioner (Traffic), Managing Director of Mahanagar Gas Limited, Project Manager of the Power Distribution Company, President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and Joint Transport Commissioner. The committee may also engage additional experts to ensure a comprehensive study.

This decision follows the Bombay High Court’s concerns over increasing traffic congestion and air pollution in Mumbai, raised during a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) hearing on January 9. The court emphasized that vehicular emissions are a major contributor to the city’s deteriorating air quality and criticized the inadequacy of current measures to curb pollution.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which includes Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Palghar districts, will be the focus of the study. The committee will evaluate the feasibility of banning petrol and diesel vehicles in these areas and promote the adoption of CNG and electric vehicles.

The High Court highlighted that the overwhelming volume of vehicles on Mumbai’s roads has exacerbated pollution levels, necessitating immediate action and a detailed feasibility study.

The Maharashtra government’s move to set up the expert panel is seen as a step toward implementing sustainable urban mobility and addressing the pressing issue of air pollution in Mumbai and its surrounding areas.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here