New Delhi slaps trucks with ‘pollution toll’

Smog envelops buildings on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. New Delhi has introduced a "pollution toll" for all lorries and commercial vehicles entering the city in bid to improve air quality. PHOTO | AFP 

In Summary

• Trucks are banned from entering New Delhi during the day, but every night after 8pm over 50,000 pour in, according to the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment.
• The lorries account for nearly a third of the pollution in Delhi, adding to a toxic mix of industrial fumes and dust from construction sites to produce hazardous smog.

By AFP
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NEW DELHI, Sunday

India’s capital has introduced a toll for all trucks and commercial vehicles in an attempt to improve air quality in the world’s most polluted city ahead of Diwali celebrations.

Trucks are banned from entering New Delhi during the day, but every night after 8pm over 50,000 pour in, according to the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment.

The lorries account for nearly a third of the pollution in Delhi, adding to a toxic mix of industrial fumes and dust from construction sites to produce hazardous smog.

Last month, India’s Supreme Court approved a four-month trial plan to charge light commercial vehicles an extra 700 rupees ($11) and large trucks 1,300 rupees to enter Delhi.

“The legal principle on which this charge has been levied is the principle of ‘polluter pays’,” Supreme Court lawyer Harish Salve, whose petition prompted the October 12 order, told AFP.

Successive governments have faced flak for failing to curb pollution in the Indian capital, whose air quality is worse than Beijing’s.