A notification has been issued by the city Government to regulate the movement of heavy, medium and light vehicles in the interest of public safety and convenience. The development comes at a time when the city has been engulfed by smog cover in the past few days which raised concerns over increasing levels of pollution in the city.
A report by WHO last year had stated that Delhi was the most polluted city in the world when it came to air quality.
It is understood that heavy goods vehicles will not be allowed to ply on 54 roads and areas of the city from 7 am to 11 pm. Earlier, these vehicles were prohibited to ply on these roads from 7.30 am to 9.30 pm only.
The movement of the medium goods vehicles on 29 roads has been prohibited from 7 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 11 pm. Earlier, these vehicles were prohibited from 7.30 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 9.30 pm only. Also, the movement of light goods vehicles has been restricted on 121 roads from 7 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 11 pm. Prior to the notification, these vehicles were prohibited from 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 9 pm.
It is estimated that over 50,000 trucks/vehicles enters Delhi every day after imposition of environment compensation charges in the wake Supreme court ruling. It is learnt prior the green charges, over two lakh vehicles used to enter Delhi every day.
Officials said a series of strict measures have been taken by the Traffic Police and the Delhi Government for road safety and smooth vehicular movement in the national Capital.
On other hand, following the directions of Supreme Court, the Delhi Traffic Police has almost made three-fold increase in penalties of traffic violators, the Government has further limited the plying and parking of heavy, medium and light good vehicles in the city.