Pollution crisis spurs shift to CNG, BS-VI cars like Ertiga, Innova in Delhi weddings: Details

By Sandy Verma On Nov 22, 2024

Delhi’s fight against severe air pollution has intensified with the implementation of GRAP-IV, leading to a ban on older vehicles. This measure has sent ripples through the wedding and travel industries, forcing them to scramble for cleaner alternatives like CNG and BS-VI compliant vehicles.

Delhi’s ongoing air quality crisis has disrupted everyday life, including the wedding and travel industries, as the city grapples with severe pollution levels. The implementation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Monday has led to a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, causing significant ripples across transportation and logistics.
The Central Pollution Control Board enforced GRAP-IV measures after Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) breached the 450 mark, entering the “severe-plus” category earlier this week. While the restrictions aim to curb vehicular emissions, they have left travel agencies struggling to meet commitments, particularly for weddings. Cars like the BS-VI-compliant Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Toyota Innovaand CNG-powered vehicles have become the go-to options for transport providers seeking to adapt to the sudden ban.
Travel agencies, which heavily rely on diesel vehicles during the wedding season, are now under pressure to source cleaner alternatives. Many report surging demand for BS-VI and CNG vehicleswith the shift putting financial strain on their operations.

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Following stringent checking across the capital, Delhi’s transport department has impounded over 2,200 overage vehicles since October 1, including 260 diesel vehicles older than 10 years and nearly 2,000 petrol vehicles exceeding the 15-year age limit.

Delhi pollution: Crackdown on violators

To enforce compliance, Delhi authorities have intensified checks for Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. A record 2.7 lakh penalties for PUC violations have been issued in 2023, marking a three-year high. In targeted drives at key junctions like Ashram Chowk and ITO Chowk, over 47,000 motorists were fined Rs 10,000 each for lacking valid PUC documents in October alone.
Violators of the GRAP-IV vehicle ban face steep penalties of up to Rs 20,000 under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Inter-state buses and commercial vehicles failing to meet BS-VI norms have also been restricted, with exceptions only for those carrying essential goods.