-SATISH HANDA

As per Supreme Court of India directions, Haryana state government has decided to ban movement of all 10 years old diesel driven and 15 years old petrol driven automobiles in 14 districts in NCR area including Faridabad, Gurugram, Rohtak, Sonepat, Jhajjar, Nuh, Panipat, Rewari, Palwal, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Mohindergarh, Karnal and Jind districts with immediate effect and ordered traffic police in the state to seize all those vehicles violating directions. However, initially relaxation has been given to automobile owners of such vehicles in eight Haryana districts including Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Fatehabad and Sirsa till further notice.

State police department will start a campaign to bring awareness among drivers of such old vehicles causing heavy pollution to obey Supreme Court of India directions holding awareness campaigns at places including Taxi Stands, Automobile Markets, Truck Unions, Automobile Sale Counters and important Public Places in every town across the state. According to information, Supreme Court of India had given such directions about five years ago but the same could not be implemented in the state and court as well as NGT has now strictly ordered implementation of previous directions to state government.

Information reveals, there are more than 6.5 lakh old vehicles plying on roads in Haryana state at present, of these nearly 75% vehicles are travelling on roads in NCR area in the state polluting the environments in the area. According to state police department, stern action will be taken against owners of all 10 years old diesel driven and 15 years old petrol driven vehicles on roads in the state will seized and sell these as condom vehicles by the police.