Government bans entry of trucks in Delhi as air quality turns 'severe'

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government’s transport department has issued a notification banning the entry of heavy and medium goods vehicles in Delhi for three nights. The ban will be in effect from 11pm on Thursday till 11pm on November 11.
TRACK THE AIR POLLUTION IN YOUR CITY
The notification has been issued to comply with the November 6 direction of the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority on the issue.The ban on entry of trucks in Delhi is prescribed under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) when air quality reaches severe or emergency levels.
“The Traffic police and municipal corporations of Delhi have been directed to enforce the ban order on goods vehicles,” KK Dahiya, special commissioner (transport) said.
The vehicles carrying raw vegetables, fruits, grains, milk, egg, ice and tankers carrying petroleum products etc would be exempted from this ban, he said. The list of essential commodities would be the same as defined for the purpose of collection of Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) by South Delhi Municipal Corporation at various borders in Delhi, he said.
“The vehicle owners and drivers are also requested not to park their vehicles at borders causing congestion. The vehicles destined for other states should use alternative routes,” Dahiya said. “The owners of privately owned diesel vehicles are requested not to use their vehicles during this period,” he added.