In an effort to combat the persistent air pollution crisis, the Delhi government has ordered a ban on app-based taxi services within the city. The new directive stipulates that only taxis with Delhi registration numbers will be permitted to operate in the national capital.
This decision comes on the heels of the Supreme Court’s call for the Delhi government to consider prohibiting app-based taxis as a measure to curb air pollution. The court expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the government’s vehicle rationing scheme, branding it as mere “optics.” The scheme, known as the “odd-even” rule, has been implemented in the past but has faced questions about its impact on reducing hazardous pollution levels in the city.
The Supreme Court further urged the government to explore alternative strategies to address the issue of vehicular pollution in Delhi. In response, Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, stated, “We held a meeting today with officials from the traffic police, transport, and environment departments, where the implementation of the odd-even scheme was discussed. However, we will make any further strategies or announcements only after we have carefully studied the SC order.”
Despite the government’s efforts to tackle air pollution, Delhi continues to grapple with deteriorating air quality. On Wednesday, pollution levels returned to the “severe” category, just a day after a slight improvement in air quality. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicated that Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 395 on Tuesday, marking a marginal improvement from the AQI of 421 recorded on Monday.
The AQI is a crucial measure of air quality, with levels categorized as follows: between zero and 50 is considered “good,” 51 to 100 is “satisfactory,” 101 to 200 is “moderate,” 201 to 300 is “poor,” 301 to 400 is “very poor,” and 401 to 500 is “severe.”
The Delhi government’s decision to ban app-based taxis is one of several steps aimed at addressing the air pollution crisis and ensuring the well-being of the city’s residents. Further developments are expected as the government continues to explore effective measures to combat pollution.
Sources By Agencies