Delhi: 7,219 buses issued challans for flouting pollution norms
What's the story
A total of 7,219 buses were issued challans for flouting pollution norms in Delhi since the past six years.
While addressing the Assembly during the ongoing session, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said that most of these buses are from neighboring states, with UP topping the list with 3,328 defaulter buses, followed closely by Rajasthan (2,064).
Among these, 643 buses were registered in Delhi.
Minister says
5,086 buses were issued challans last year; fined Rs. 1000
Gahlot said that these buses were fined for not having the proper PUC certificates, the fine of which is Rs. 1,000.
He noted that the number has increased manifold in the past year.
From 2017 till February'18, a total of 5,086 buses were issued challans.
However, the previous years' numbers were pretty low: 244 (2012-13), 216 (2013-14), 506 (2014-15), 189 (2015-16) and 978 (2016-17).
Rules, agreements
What's the action taken in such cases, apart from challans?
The Delhi transport authority has no power to cancel permits of buses coming from other states, in case of any violation under Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.
The department simply notifies their fellow officers in other states, in case the defaulter bus is a government undertaking.
However, the buses entering Delhi should run on CNG, as per an agreement between NCR and other states.