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Diesel auto rickshaws banned in GB Nagar, Ghaziabad; more districts on list
Under the phased ban, the Baghpat district will prohibit diesel auto-rickshaw by December 31, 2025, while Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Muzaffarnagar and Shamli will phase out the vehicle by December 31, 2026, added the statement.
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has banned diesel auto-rickshaws in Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad in an attempt to curb vehicular air pollution, according to the statement issued by the state government on Saturday.
Under the phased ban, the Baghpat district will prohibit diesel auto-rickshaw by December 31, 2025, while Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Muzaffarnagar and Shamli will phase out the vehicle by December 31, 2026, added the statement.
The Meerut Regional Transport Authority has already halted the issuance and renewal of permits for these restricted vehicles.
Road dust has been identified as a primary contributor to air pollution in the region, with the action plan focusing on road redevelopment, intensified dust suppression and large-scale cleanliness drives, according to a state government release.
For coordinated implementation, the principal secretary of the environment, forest and climate change department has been appointed as the nodal officer. A project monitoring unit (PMU) has also been established at the state level.
Authorities in Noida and Greater Noida have begun deploying anti-smog guns, sprinklers, and mechanical cleaning systems to minimise roadside dust, said the press statement.
Officials said the plan is expected to significantly improve air quality and benefit millions of urban residents.
