Mumbai: The Maharashtra government established a seven-member committee to assess the feasibility of phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and permitting only CNG and electric vehicles in an effort to combat rising pollution levels. The committee has been tasked with submitting its recommendations within the next three months.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions among netizens. While some have welcomed the move as a step towards a cleaner environment, others have criticised it, arguing that such a transition would place an additional financial burden on the middle class and working population.
Check some netizen reactions here:
Details On The Govt Order
According to an order issued on January 22, retired IAS officer Sudhir Srivastava will lead the panel. Other members include 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 the Joint Transport Commissioner. The committee also has the authority to bring in additional experts for a more in-depth analysis.
The study will not be limited to Mumbai alone but will extend to the entire MMR, which includes Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts. The panel will assess the feasibility of banning petrol and diesel vehicles across these regions and explore the best ways to transition towards cleaner alternatives.
Decision Taken After Bombay HC's Observation
The decision to form the committee follows concerns raised by the Bombay High Court over increasing traffic congestion and air pollution in Mumbai. During a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) hearing on January 9, the court noted that vehicular emissions are a major contributor to the city’s declining air quality and that previous measures to control pollution have been inadequate.
Taking these concerns into account, the Maharashtra government has assigned the committee the responsibility of evaluating whether phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles is a practical solution for the region. The court stressed that the sheer number of vehicles on Mumbai’s roads is remarkably worsening pollution levels, making it essential to conduct a detailed study on transitioning to CNG and electric vehicles.
