Maharashtra petrol diesel vehicle ban: Maharashtra forms expert committee to assess feasibility of phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles in Mumbai.
Maharashtra petrol diesel vehicle ban plans a gradual phase-out in Mumbai Metropolitan Region to boost air quality. To combat rising air pollution in MMR, the Maharashtra government has formed a seven-member expert committee to assess the viability of replacing petrol and diesel vehicles with CNG and electric options.
Committee Composition and Mandate
The committee, which will present its recommendations within three months, is led by retired IAS officer Sudhir Kumar Shrivastava. It includes key figures such as the State Transport Commissioner, Mumbai’s Joint Police Commissioner (traffic), the Managing Director of Mahanagar Gas Limited, a representative from Mahavitaran, the President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and a Joint Transport Commissioner, who will serve as the member secretary. The committee, formed through a government resolution on January 22, may invite additional experts to enhance its assessment.
Court’s Directive and Urgency for Action
Following strong criticism from the Bombay High Court on 9 January, the Maharashtra government has responded by forming a seven-member expert committee to explore the feasibility of phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles in favor of CNG and electric alternatives. The court had expressed concerns that existing anti-pollution measures were inadequate and called for a thorough study to transition towards cleaner transport systems, emphasising the role of vehicular emissions in Mumbai’s hazardous air quality. The court’s directive highlighted the urgency of taking action to safeguard public health and environmental sustainability.
Challenges in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region
In compliance with the court’s instructions, the Maharashtra government established the committee and granted it the flexibility to include additional experts for further insights. The committee is tasked with assessing the viability of such a transition within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which includes Mumbai and the surrounding districts of Thane, Raigad, and Palghar. The region’s rapidly growing vehicle population, which exceeds 48 lakh vehicles across four Mumbai RTOs, has further compounded the challenge.
Historical Context and Future Implications
This initiative is not the first attempt by the state to tackle vehicular pollution. Over 20 years ago, the V.M. Lal Committee was formed to identify pollution sources and recommend solutions. However, with the mounting environmental concerns, the findings of this new panel will play a crucial role in guiding Maharashtra’s shift towards sustainable urban mobility.
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