CAPITAL GASPS: EPCA seeks info on diesel cabs plying in Delhi

All taxi operators in Delhi including cab aggregator companies Ola and Uber have been directed by Supreme Court-appointed Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority to submit an affidavit on their diesel taxis plying on the roads of Delhi-NCR. EPCA sought the information from the companies during its meeting on Thursday after it had received complaints that diesel taxis were plying in the capital in defiance of Supreme Court's 2016 order prohibiting their operations.

EPCA chairman Bhure Lal warned that diesel taxis will be penalised for plying in the capital. "No diesel based taxis will have the alighting point or boarding point in Delhi NCR. If any are found to be operating without them being disclosed, they will straight away be impounded and their licences be cancelled. According to our estimate, almost 70,000 diesel based taxis are still operating in Delhi NCR which is a big number," said Bhure Lal, chairman of EPCA in the meeting.

In May 2016, the Supreme Court had ordered a gradual phase-out of diesel taxis from Delhi-NCR and said that they can operate until the expiry of their permits. The taxis running with an All India Tourist Permit (AITP) were converted to AITP-O(old) and were allowed to run from point-to-point to provide services, mainly for the huge Business Process Outsourcing sector based in Delhi-NCR.

"We have also asked transport authorities of Delhi-NCR states to provide details on diesel taxis," said Sunita Narain, member, EPCA.

"We want to know the exact number of taxis engaged by you, out of which how many are on CNG, diesel and other cleaner options. If you are engaging diesel cabs for point-to-point travel in Delhi NCR, you have to disclose their numbers to us and give us an undertaking by next week that you will not engage them any further," said Abhay Damle, joint secretary, MoRTH.

Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) task force held a review of Delhi's air quality and the India Meteorological Department said that pollution levels would hover in the poor or very poor category. CPCB said that if the air quality turns severe, it will recommend EPCA to ban industrial and construction and demolition activities in hotspot areas such as Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana and Anand Vihar.

2016 ORDER

• In May 2016, the Supreme Court had ordered a gradual phase-out of diesel taxis from Delhi-NCR 
   
• SC said these cabs can ply till their permits expire. But these cabs can only provide point-to point service. The taxis running with an All India Tourist Permit (AITP) were converted to AITP-O(old)