NEW DELHI: In a dedicated effort to combat the escalating air pollution crisis in the Delhi-NCR region, Noida Police has embarked on a rigorous crackdown targeting old vehicles. Over a span of 15 days, they managed to impound a staggering 175 vehicles that were either 10 or 15 years old. Additionally, a substantial number of over 7,000 vehicle owners were slapped with fines for their vehicles lacking the requisite fitness or pollution certificates.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Traffic Police, Anil Yadav, spearheaded this initiative, underlining the pressing need to address the issue of air pollution head-on. The operation primarily targeted 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles that are known to be significant contributors to the region's deteriorating air quality.

In a parallel move, the police also intensified their crackdown on vehicles without proper pollution certificates or fitness certificates, reinforcing their commitment to curbing the environmental menace.

Yadav revealed striking statistics regarding their year-round efforts, stating, "Over the past year, we have seized a whopping 1,000 vehicles, imposed fines on 10,000 vehicle owners who lacked pollution certificates, and penalized another 12,000 vehicle owners without valid fitness certificates." These numbers serve as a stark reminder of the gravity of the pollution problem posed by older vehicles.

The detrimental impact of older vehicles on air quality cannot be underestimated. These vehicles emit a slew of pollutants contingent on the quality of fuel they consume and the efficiency of their engines. This crackdown aims to alleviate the disproportionate burden that these aging vehicles place on the environment.

The urgency of addressing this issue has been accentuated by the recent escalation of toxic air quality in Noida and other parts of the Delhi-NCR region, with the onset of the winter season. The situation has been compounded by the practice of farmers in Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh burning crop residue in their fields, further aggravating the air quality crisis.

The air quality index in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, and neighboring areas recently plummeted to the alarming "severe plus" category, prompting grave concerns about public health. Several cities in the neighboring states of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh have also reported hazardous air quality levels, highlighting the dire need for comprehensive measures to combat air pollution.

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