Air Quality Overhaul: PCMC’s Proposal Calls For Electric Vehicles And Restrictions On Petrol, Diesel Vehicles

Pimpri-Chinchwad, 10th January 2024: In a bid to combat rising air pollution, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has introduced a draft proposal for the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This comprehensive plan includes restrictions on petrol and diesel vehicles, along with increased parking fees at commercial establishments in the twin cities.

Diverging from Delhi’s odd-even rule, PCMC aims to exclusively permit electric vehicles in areas with severely poor air quality, as stated by a senior official from the PCMC’s environment department.

Last November, Pimpri Chinchwad emerged as one of the most polluted cities in Maharashtra, leading civic authorities to suspend construction activities in the twin cities.

The draft proposal for GRAP was made accessible on the civic body’s official website for public review and feedback from December 5 to 19. “Currently, we are reviewing citizens’ feedback, and a final proposal will soon be prepared for presentation before the general body for approval,” mentioned Sanjay Kulkarni, the joint city engineer of PCMC.

PCMC’s GRAP is structured into four phases corresponding to varying air quality levels. In addition to the phase-wise measures, the civic body has suggested heightened penalties for violations of pollution norms. For instance, fines for spitting in public places or open defecation will increase from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,100. Similarly, fines for violating MPCB guidelines at construction sites will escalate to Rs 100 per square meter of built-up area, up from the current Rs 10 per square meter.

The draft proposal also addresses industries contributing to air pollution. While PCMC currently lacks the authority to fine industries for pollution, the draft proposes empowering the corporation to impose a Rs 10,000 fine on non-compliant industrial units. Additionally, fines of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 have been suggested for the open transportation of construction and demolition waste and the release of untreated waste into water bodies, respectively, by the joint city engineer of PCMC.