The NCR region of India has already faced the ban of diesel vehicles with engine 2,000cc and those which are 10 year old. This step was taken by the government to regulate the pollution in the capital of the country. The concern over pollution has gradually risen in other states of India, where now this can be applied in the Kerala too. The NGT has asked Kerala government has not to register diesel cars that have 2000cc engine; this is not applicable for public transport and local authorities. This ban is valid on both light and heavy vehicles.
The NGT order stated- “The state of Kerala shall not register any diesel vehicle with the capacity of 2,000cc and above, except public transport and local authority vehicle”. The order further added- “Upon expiry of 30 days from today (Monday), if any vehicle is found to be violating this direction, it would be liable to pay Rs 5,000 per violation, as environmental compensation,”. The cities which cannot run 10 year old diesel vehicles are: Kollam, Kochi, Thiruvananthapura, Kozhikode, Thrissur and Kannur .
This decision is going to throw an impact on the sales of the car manufactures in which mainly are- Toyota, Mahindra, Mercedes and other luxury cars that carry a diesel engine of 2000cc.
Abdul Majeed, partner with Price Waterhouse, said pollution level where not improved even after banning the diesel vehicles above 2,000cc. The main intention for such orders could be to control the population to buy diesel vehicles. He said- “This will have severe implications on the business of car makers. I will not be surprised if more cities/states come under such restrictions in future”.
On the order passed by NGT, John K Paul, president, Kerala Automobile Dealers Association stated that- around 20% of automobile sales would be impacted in Kerala. He also asked that the government and the car manufacturers must take up the issue so as it should get one-two years of planning.
Citizens owning diesel cars are likely to face problem but the story doesn’t end here. Major issues are to be face by lorry owners who are basically drivers turned owners and own lorries that are over 10 year old. Lorry owners of both the states Kerala and Tamil Nadu are at stress as this order would leave a huge impact on the movement of vegetable and other infrastructure material between these two states.
After NCR and Kerala, soon other states like Gujarat and Maharashtra are like to face the similar situation so as to regulate the pollution.
Verdict: Such orders passed shall affect the environment in the positive way and the sales of car adversely. The solution does not lie in banning the vehicles within short span of time as such decisions affect may lives and other sectors related to it in much huge way.
Author: Mrs. Viveka Verma Nagar