The new policy formulated by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) stated that the diesel-run auto rickshaws will have to be phased out in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) by December 31, 2026, aiming to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
The policy unveiled on Wednesday mandates phasing out of diesel autos in Gurugram, Faridabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad by December 31, 2024.
The autos will be gradually moved out of service in the remaining districts of the national capital region by December 31, 2026.The NCR covers the whole of Delhi, 14 districts of Haryana, 8 districts of Uttar Pradesh and two districts of Rajasthan. Only Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric autos will be registered in NCR states from January 1, 2023, according to the policy. Delhi had in 1998 launched a programme to convert its fleet of diesel auto rickshaws into CNG ones. No diesel-run auto is registered in Delhi at present.The Delhi Transport Department had in October last year launched the scheme for registration of 4,261 e-autos. The new policy lists sector-wise action plans to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR in the next five years.
