Gurgaon traffic police asks state government to stop renewal of PUC

In July, last year, the state government had banned plying of diesel and petrol vehicles older than 10 and 15 years in the city.

In a bid to reduce pollution levels in the city, Gurgaon traffic police has asked the state government to stop renewal of pollution under control (PUC) certificate to owners of diesel vehicles whose vehicles are more than 10 years old.

RTO identified over 12,000 vehicles that were over 15 years old. (HT File)

As per traffic police officials, there are more than 15,000 diesel vehicles operating in the city which have crossed the 10-year mark.

The development comes in the background of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) dismissing earlier this month a plea by the Central government to make alterations to its ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years plying across NCR.

“Aside from reducing pollution, 15,000 vehicles going off roads will also reduce vehicle congestion in the city and reduce snarls. We are already impounding diesel vehicles that are over 10 years old,” the spokesperson of Gurgaon police said.

According to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials, nearly 8,000 diesel auto-rickshaws in the city have been manufactured more than 10 years ago.

In July, last year, the state government had banned plying of diesel and petrol vehicles older than 10 and 15 years in the city.

Later, in November the RTO identified over 12,000 vehicles that were over 15 years old.

Most of these vehicles belonged to the HR-55, 55A, 55B, 55C, and 55D series and traffic police officials were directed to impound such vehicles.

While, neighbouring New Delhi has experimented with the usage of vehicles registered in odd or even figures and allowed them to ply on particular days, Gurgaon has so far resisted tring out the road rationing scheme.

Pollution levels skyrocket across Haryana and Punjab during winter when farmers of these states resort to stubble burning after harvesting crops. The practise leads to the formation of heavy smog across NCR in December and January.