To combat air pollution in Srinagar: Ban proposed on 15 year old commercial diesel vehicles

Srinagar, Nov 1:  A committee tasked to suggest measures for combating air pollution has proposed ban on 15-year-old commercial diesel vehicles in Srinagar city.

As per the action plan framed by seven-member committee headed by Secretary Forests and Ecology, the state transport department has been directed to take up the matter with government and frame a policy for phasing out of 15-years-old commercial diesel driven vehicles

“Restriction on plying and phasing out 15 years old commercial diesel vehicles in Srinagar should be done within one year,” reads the action plan.

The action plan was framed after National Green Tribunal directed states including Jammu and Kashmir to bring air quality standard within the prescribed limit.

The plan further suggests the usage of retrofitted particulate filters in diesel driven vehicle. “Only those new vehicles in Srinagar city should be registered which are having retrofitting of particulate filter feature. The age of vehicles in the state should be as per motor vehicle act-1988 that is 15 years and transport department must ensure that,” it says.

Official figures reveal that in Srinagar district, there are total 2,22,772 number of vehicles having age less than 15 years; and 2,56,196 number of vehicles with age less than 25 years.

Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir Iqram Mullah Tak told The Kashmir Monitor that around 6.5 lakh vehicles from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are currently registered with his department.  

“The registration of vehicles is done as per the rules of Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. At the time of registration, the age limit of the vehicle is upto 15 years and if the condition of the vehicle remains good, then it can be extended till 25 years,” he said.