Can you believe it; India has 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) last year. On the last Diwali night air pollution in Delhi reached 40 times the limit recommended by the WHO.
Weak coordination and enforcement have limped action to clean India’s cities and tackle a health calamity that causes more than 6 lakh premature deaths every year. Diesel emissions, construction dust and the burning of crop stubble in farms is the prime reason for over dose of air pollution in metro cities like Delhi.
Indian government has announced to ban trucks and buses more than 15 years old to restrain pollution levels. Commercial trucks, which account for more than half of India’s vehicle emissions, are also included. The ban will come into effect in April and the Govt. will declare more details in the next two weeks.
New car sales are increasing in India. Taxes on cars and parking charges should be raised to curtail usage, and public transport should be expanded, opine experts. Last week India said it would require vehicles to abide by stricter emissions standards by 2019, three years ahead of the previous deadline.
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