New Delhi: Delhi government has decided to establish an urban transport fund to promote public transport and its use in a bid to tackle the rising pollution levels in the national capital.
One rupee cess shall be imposed on purchase of every packet of cigarette and every bottle of liquor for the purpose, a Delhi government official said.
The government has also decided to introduce 8 coaches in 129 metro trains by March 2017. So far, only 58 metro trains run with 8 coaches.
These decisions were taken at a High-Powered Committee meeting, constituted to examine measures to check air and water pollution in Delhi under the chairmanship of the Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Friday.
"Further, the Pollution Under control (PUC) norms for all vehicles plying in Delhi will be tightened. Soon Delhi Traffic Police will make it mandatory for all vehicles to display a valid PUC sticker on the vehicle. The proposal of making valid PUC certificate mandatory for procuring petrol or diesel is being examined," the official said.
From January 1 to September 5, this year, 24,025 violators have been challaned for not carrying a valid PUC certificate. Delhi government has also decided to regulate the entry of non-destined vehicles in the city.
"The Public Works Department (PWD) and Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) will make provisions of U turns or underpasses at specific border locations so that entry of non-destined vehicles in Delhi may be prohibited and non destined vehicles turned back. These provisions shall be put in place within the next 2 months," said the official.