The Delhi government is considering higher penalties on polluting vehicles to help improve air quality in the capital in the short term. The decision to consider the higher fine was taken at a meeting which had attendees from the Environment Pollution Control Authority, the meteorological department, state environment department and chief minister Sheila Dikshit.
The meeting was held thanks to the recent spells of smog the city has been having. As always, the plan has yet to be fully formed, but the primary targets will be trucks, interstate buses and diesel cars since they have more emissions than petrol or CNG vehicles. Some other measures discussed during the meeting were fines and restrictions on the usage of diesel generators at social gatherings, and 'vigilant patrolling' on the five main entry points to the city. A second meeting will be held on Saturday to discuss a proposal by the Centre for Science and Environment before approaching Jayanthi Natarajan, the Union minister for environment and forest.
The penalty for a polluting vehicle was raised during the Commonwealth Games period to Rs 2000, a much higher but more realistic figure than the Rs 100 stated under the Motor Vehicles Act.
