The Centre has cleared a new Rs 9,585 crore programme aimed at reducing pollution from older trucks and buses operating across Delhi-NCR. Approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, the two-year initiative is designed to speed up the shift towards cleaner and less-polluting vehicles in one of the country’s most polluted regions.

Officials say the transport sector remains a major source of poor air quality in Delhi-NCR. While heavy commercial vehicles account for only a small share of the total number of vehicles on the roads, they release a disproportionately high amount of harmful pollutants. Trucks and buses together make up roughly 3 percent of the vehicle fleet but are linked to more than one-third of PM2.5 emissions generated by road transport.

Government estimates show that older heavy vehicles release significantly more pollution than newer models. According to officials, a heavy-duty vehicle operating under emission standards older than BS-VI can pollute as much as several newer vehicles combined. Even BS-IV vehicles produce far higher emissions than those meeting the latest norms.

To address this issue, the new scheme will encourage owners of BS-IV commercial vehicles to move to BS-VI-compliant or electric alternatives. The programme does not cover vehicles owned by government departments.

A package of financial benefits has been prepared to make the switch more attractive. Vehicle owners will be eligible for lower borrowing costs through a five-year interest subsidy on loans. They may also receive fuel support through monthly vouchers, with the amount varying by vehicle category. Additional one-time incentives will be available for those choosing electric vehicles or participating in certificate trading mechanisms.

State governments joining the programme will offer their own set of benefits. These include removing registration charges and providing long-term relief on motor vehicle taxes. New vehicle buyers could receive full tax exemptions, while purchasers of used vehicles may qualify for partial concessions. Authorities will also clear outstanding dues attached to old vehicles brought into the scheme.

The Centre’s contribution to the programme will be Rs 5,041 crore, while participating states are expected to provide support through tax-related relief estimated at around Rs 1,601 crore.

Funding will be routed through the National Capital Region Planning Board under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh will work together on implementation.

Official figures indicate that transport activities are responsible for a sizeable share of pollution across the region, contributing around 14 percent of PM2.5 levels, 40 percent of carbon monoxide emissions and nearly two-thirds of nitrogen dioxide emissions.

More than 2 lakh commercial vehicle owners are expected to fall within the scheme’s scope, including nearly 1.91 lakh truck owners and over 16,000 bus operators.

The benefits will not be available for BS-III or older vehicles. Such vehicles will have to be dismantled at authorised scrapping centres. Owners of BS-IV vehicles, however, can either send them for scrapping or transfer them to locations outside NCR where air quality norms permit their use.

Those seeking benefits under the programme must replace their old vehicles with a new BS-VI-compliant or electric vehicle and register it within NCR. Delhi will follow stricter rules, requiring light goods vehicles purchased under the scheme to be fully electric. Buses, meanwhile, will be allowed only if they run on BS-VI CNG technology or electricity.

Image source: NDTV

The Delhi High Court has raised serious concerns over continued construction activity inside the Yamuna floodplain and signaled that government officials may be held responsible if fresh violations are found. The court said development of residential areas within Zone O remains a matter of concern due to the area’s environmental importance.

While hearing the matter, the court observed that new structures appear to be coming up despite restrictions in place. It questioned how such activity could continue without the knowledge of local authorities. To fix responsibility, the court asked for details of executive engineers handling the affected areas and directed them to remain present at the next hearing.

The bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora stated that officers who fail to prevent fresh violations could face legal action.

Records placed before the court showed that dozens of unauthorized colonies already exist inside Zone O. Although these settlements have not received legal status, they are currently covered by temporary relief granted under a special law applicable in Delhi. This protection remains valid until the end of December 2026.

In its submission, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs clarified that residents living in these colonies are protected from certain enforcement measures for a limited period. However, the arrangement does not give them ownership rights over the properties they occupy.

The ministry further informed the court that the population living across these settlements is estimated to be between five and six lakh people, spread across roughly one lakh homes. Officials also said discussions are taking place among the Centre, the Delhi Government and other departments regarding future plans for the area and possible rehabilitation measures.

The judges made it clear that no additional structures should come up in the floodplain. They instructed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to keep a close watch on construction activity and ensure that repair work is not misused to put up completely new buildings.

The matter gained attention after photographs submitted to the court showed fresh building activity at several locations, including Jagatpur, Wazirabad, Ram Ghat and New Aruna Nagar near Majnu Ka Tila.

To address the issue, the court asked representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the DDA to meet on June 8. The agencies have been told to prepare a report explaining what action has been taken to stop new encroachments and deal with illegal structures in the floodplain. The report will be reviewed during the next hearing.

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Delhi’s rising heat has made traffic duty very tough for police staff posted on busy roads across the city. To help them deal with high temperatures, Delhi Traffic Police has started testing air-conditioned helmets and small battery fans at several traffic points.

Head Constable Ramesh Kumar, posted at Tughlaq Road in Central Delhi, said the cooling helmet has made a clear difference during afternoon duty. He said sweat usually keeps running down his face and head during long hours in the sun, but the new helmet keeps his head cooler.

Police officials said the cooling devices are being tested at heavy traffic points where staff members remain outside for many hours every day. Feedback from police personnel is also being collected during the trial period.

Delhi has seen strong heatwave conditions this summer, with temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius in many areas. Traffic police staff face direct sunlight, hot winds and smoke from vehicles during long shifts on roads and crossings.

Officials linked to the trial said the AC helmet is light in weight and runs on a rechargeable battery. The helmet can work for around eight to ten hours after full charging. Police staff using the device said the airflow inside the helmet helps reduce heat around the face and head.

The helmet has small cooling and air systems built inside to help lower heat during outdoor duty.

Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Manish Kumar said the project is still in the testing stage. He said officials are checking how well the devices work and how comfortable they are during daily use.

Along with cooling helmets and fans, Delhi Traffic Police has also started hydration vans in the New Delhi traffic area. These vans carry ORS drinks and lemonade for police staff posted at different traffic points.

The step aims to help traffic personnel stay safe from dehydration, tiredness and heat-related problems during peak summer days in the national capital.