Air pollution in Delhi: Lt Governor Najeeb Jung issues instructions to seize all diesel vehicles older than 15 years

In a move to combat air pollution in Delhi, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Thursday issued “strict” instructions to police to impound all diesel vehicles older than 15 years in the national capital.

The instructions were issued by the LG in a meeting on Thursday with top police officers including Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma, Special Commissioners (Law & Order), Joint Commissioners (all ranges) and DCPs (all districts).

“In today’s meeting, the Lt Governor issued strict instructions to impound all diesel vehicles which are over 15 years in the national capital,” an officer in the LG office said.

There are around 1.91 lakh diesel vehicles older than 15 years registered with the transport department in the city.

Sources said that most of these vehicles still continue to ply in the city despite the imposition of ban on them by LG.

Jung had ordered de-registration of diesel vehicles older than 15 years on November 7 to tackle the air pollution crisis in Delhi.

Last week, the transport department of Delhi government had written to Delhi Police, asking the force to impound these vehicles. The department had also asked police to ensure that these polluting vehicles are not parked in public places.

In another step to tackle air pollution, Jung issued an appeal to households which employ guards and watchman to provide heaters for them, so that they do not resort to burning dry leaves to keep warm in the coming winter months.