Controversy Over Delhi's Vehicle Fuel Ban Sparks Political Backlash

Delhi enforces a ban on refueling old diesel and petrol vehicles, invoking criticism from AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj against BJP. The initiative, part of a broader air quality campaign, uses advanced camera technology, yet faces logistical challenges and political pushback from key stakeholders.

In Delhi, a new ban on refueling diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years has come into effect, drawing sharp criticism from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj. He described the move as impractical and accused the BJP of mismanaging the government.

Bharadwaj questioned the BJP's plan, asking if the party considered alternative measures to curb pollution. He criticized the BJP for halting infrastructure improvements half-heartedly and raised concerns over petrol pump owners' ability to enforce the ban.

The move, overseen by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), aims to cut pollution by utilizing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to track End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles at fuel stations. Effective in Delhi, the restrictions will gradually extend to surrounding areas, promoting cleaner air through technological enforcement and stringent policy.

(With inputs from agencies.)