Detectors at tolls along Delhi borders to stop polluting vehicles from entering capital

Detectors at tolls along Delhi borders to stop polluting vehicles from entering capital

Detectors identifying models of vehicles will soon be installed at toll stations along Delhi’s borders to detect overage vehicles and vehicle models like BS-VI that are banned from plying in the national capital. 

According to Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, these detectors will identify banned models of vehicles and analyse number plates to show their age, which will immediately reflect on the screens of the toll plazas. “Along with these, fitness certificates will also be checked and if the vehicle model is banned or is overaged, it will be barred from entering the capital,” he said.

However, if such vehicles just are crossing the capital to reach a destination elsewhere, they will not be fined by the state authorities, until directed by the Supreme Court, Dr. Singh added. 

“We will not challan the vehicles that just pass through Delhi and are not plying on our roads, unless directed by legal bodies to ensure better air quality in the city,” said the Transport Minister. 

Further, the overaged vehicles, especially diesel vehicles in their 11th year and petrol vehicles in their 16th year, after getting an NOC, will have to be taken on a crane to cross the border, to be sold in neighbouring States. Earlier, these overage vehicles in their 11th and 16th year could refuel and be driven out of the capital. This is in compliance with the 2014 NGT order and 2018 Supreme Court order that banned the plying of diesel vehicles over 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years in the capital.  

The minister, a day before, chaired a meeting with top officials in the department to launch an intense campaign against overaged and unregistered vehicles. He instructed the department to take appropriate action against fuel stations supplying fuel to vehicles operating without valid fitness certificates and further directed them to take action against Petrol, Diesel and CNG vehicles running without a valid fitness certificate.