Mumbai: In a move to tackle the rising pollution levels, the Maharashtra government has set up a seven-member committee to explore the way of phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region while permitting only CNG and electric vehicles. The panel would submit its recommendations within the next three months.
According to an order issued on January 22, retired IAS officer Sudhir Srivastava will lead the committee. The panel includes key stakeholders such as the Transport Commissioner, Joint Police Commissioner (Traffic), Managing Director of Mahanagar Gas Limited, Project Manager of the Power Distribution Company, President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and Joint Transport Commissioner.
The committee has the authority to include additional experts in its panel for a comprehensive study. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region encompasses not only Mumbai but also neighbouring areas like Thane, Raigad, and Palghar districts. The study will assess the feasibility of banning diesel and petrol vehicles across these regions as well.
The formation of the committee follows the Bombay High Court's expression of serious concerns regarding Mumbai's escalating traffic congestion and air pollution during a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) hearing on January 9. The court highlighted that vehicular emissions are a significant factor contributing to the city's deteriorating air quality and emphasised that existing measures to regulate vehicle numbers and curb pollution have fallen short.
In light of the court's remarks, the Maharashtra government has assigned the committee the responsibility of assessing the feasibility of phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles and transitioning to CNG and electric vehicles in the region.
The court had underscored that the overwhelming volume of vehicles on Mumbai's roads is worsening pollution levels and stressed the need for a detailed study to evaluate the practicality of eliminating petrol and diesel-powered vehicles.
Court Directs BMC & MPCB to Expedite Green Fuel Transition For Bakeries
In a related development, the Bombay High Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to ensure that bakeries in the city using wood and coal as fuel switch to gas or other green alternatives within six months, instead of the previously allotted one-year deadline.
The court also ruled that no new licenses will be issued to bakeries or similar businesses operating on coal or wood unless they commit to using only green fuels. Existing businesses must comply with this directive to continue operations.
Following the court's order, the state government has formed an expert committee to study the possibility of banning petrol and diesel vehicles in the MMR while promoting the use of CNG and electric vehicles. The committee will submit its report to the government for further action.
Additionally, the court has instructed the BMC and MPCB to install pollution indicators at construction sites across the city to monitor and control air quality.
