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Ozone pollution spreading across Indian cities, Delhi-NCR worst hit

Ground-level ozone, an invisible but highly harmful air pollutant, is rapidly emerging as a year-round public health and climate challenge across India's cities, according to a new analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Based on six years of data from 25 cities, the study shows that ozone pollution is no longer confined to isolated summer spikes or a handful of northern urban centres. Instead, it has spread across regions, with prolonged exposure becoming increasingly common in both inland and coastal cities.

Delhi EV Policy: 5 wins for buyers but why are hybrids missing out

Buying an electric vehicle in Delhi is set to become significantly cheaper from next month, with the Delhi government unveiling a new Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy that combines tax exemptions, purchase subsidies and scrappage incentives to encourage faster adoption of clean mobility. While the policy is primarily aimed at reducing vehicular pollution, it also lowers the upfront cost of owning an EV across multiple vehicle categories. Approved by the Delhi Cabinet, the policy will come into force from July 1 after receiving the Lieutenant Governor’s approval. It will remain in effect until March 31, 2030, and is backed by an investment of more than Rs 7,000 crore over the next four years. How buyers will benefit The biggest financial relief is for buyers of electric cars. Under the policy, all pure electric four-wheelers with an ex-showroom price of up to Rs 30 lakh will be exempt from paying road tax and registration charges, significantly reducing the upfront cost of purchase. The government has also announced direct purchase incentives for other EV categories. Buyers of electric two-wheelers will receive subsidies of Rs 30,000 in the first year, Rs 20,000 in the second year and Rs 10,000 in the third year. Electric three-wheelers, including e-autos, will be eligible for incentives of Rs 50,000, Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 during the first three years of the policy. Buyers of N1 category electric trucks will receive purchase incentives of up to Rs 1 lakh. Owners of BS-IV or older four-wheelers will also be encouraged to switch by offering a scrappage incentive of Rs 1 lakh upon replacing their old vehicle with an electric one. However, the policy does not extend any financial incentives to hybrid vehicles. To simplify the process, the government will launch a dedicated online portal through which buyers can apply for all eligible incentives. The April 2026 draft EV policy had proposed incentives for strong hybrid vehicles, but the final Delhi EV Policy 2.0 offers none. Officials said the government chose to focus its financial support on fully electric vehicles rather than hybrids Amitabh Kant congratulated Rekha Gupta for the step. calling Delhi’s new EV policy is progressive, forward looking, innovative and transformational, he noted, “The plan to stop new registrations of ICE three-wheelers and N1 trucks from January 2027 and two-wheelers from April 2028 is a bold step in the right direction. It has also given a big push to Charging infrastructure. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said benefits worth around Rs 15,000 crore, including government investment, tax exemptions and EV infrastructure development, will be extended under the policy over the next four years to accelerate electric mobility in the capital. Beyond incentives, the policy reshapes Delhi’s transport roadmap While financial incentives are designed to make EV ownership more affordable, the policy also lays down a long-term roadmap for transitioning Delhi’s transport ecosystem towards zero-emission mobility. Only electric autorickshaws will be registered in Delhi from January 1, 2027, while registrations of new petrol and CNG two-wheelers will gradually be phased out. From April 1, 2028, only electric two-wheelers will be registered in the capital. To support the growing EV fleet, the government plans to install around 30,000 charging points across Delhi. The policy also targets converting 30 per cent of all school buses to electric by March 2030 while expanding vehicle scrapping facilities and charging infrastructure. The government’s focus on electric mobility comes as transport continues to be Delhi’s single-largest local source of PM2.5 pollution. According to the Centre for Science and Environment, vehicles contributed between 46 per cent and 53 per cent of the capital’s local PM2.5 pollution during last winter’s peak pollution period. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at EnviroCatalyst, said the policy directly links cleaner transport with public health. “By addressing vehicular emissions, a primary pollution source, the government is finally ensuring the transport sector takes ownership of its responsibility to provide a livable environment,” Dahiya had told PTI. The timing also coincides with growing consumer interest in electric mobility. Delhi registered more than 1.07 lakh EVs during FY26, up from 83,512 in FY25, while total vehicle registrations in the city rose nearly 18 per cent to 8.5 lakh units. Over the past six years, more than 4.07 lakh electric vehicles have been registered in the national capital, indicating that the new incentives are likely to further accelerate EV adoption.

Ozone Pollution Spreading Across Indian Cities, Mumbai At High-Risk, CSE Warns

Ground-level ozone has emerged as a fast-expanding, multi-season air pollution challenge across 25 major Indian cities, according to a recent analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Mumbai faces significant risks, recording some of the highest ozone peaks in the country, prolonged exposure durations, and persistent ozone levels at night. Ground-level ozone is a highly hazardous and invisible "secondary" pollutant formed when emissions from vehicles and industries react with strong sunlight. Delhi-NCR has emerged as the largest regional hotspot, with major impacts also seen in Chandigarh, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Patna. Among all the cities analysed, Chandigarh recorded the highest average summer ozone concentration, followed by Ahmedabad and Jaipur.

New Delhi enforces EV policy to combat air pollution

New Delhi authorities announced a new policy on June 29 aimed at curbing pollution in the city, including incentives to get residents to scrap old vehicles for electric ones. New Delhi and its sprawling metropolitan region of 30 million residents is regularly ranked among the world’s most polluted capitals due to a mix of emissions from power plants, heavy traffic and the burning of rubbish and crops. “This is a historic step towards effectively controlling vehicular pollution in the capital and promoting clean transportation,” said Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The new EV policy will start today and remain in place until March 31, 2030, she said. Gupta announced a slew of measures as part of the plan, including an incentive of “5,000 rupees ($53) to 100,000 rupees ($1,050) on scrapping old vehicles.” Buyers of new electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers will also get incentives of 30,000 rupees ($320) and 50,000 rupees ($530) respectively. Starting January next year, the government will only register electric three-wheelers and small trucks, the chief minister said. And from April the following year, only new electric two-wheeler vehicles will be registered, she added. A study in The Lancet Planetary Health last year estimated that 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were linked to air pollution. According to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment from last year, vehicular emissions contributed a little over half to the city’s pollution levels.

Ozone Pollution Alert: Industries May Face Tighter Emission Norms

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has flagged ground-level ozone as a year-round pollutant in Indian cities. For investors, this signals potential regulatory shifts in the upcoming NCAP 2.0 policy. This could lead to higher compliance costs for the automotive, manufacturing, and energy sectors, potentially impacting margins as firms upgrade pollution control systems to meet stricter emission standards. What Happened The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has issued a warning regarding the rising levels of ground-level ozone across India. Unlike previous years where ozone pollution was considered a seasonal issue linked to specific weather conditions, the latest six-year analysis from 2021 to 2026 identifies it as a pervasive, year-round problem. The study highlights Delhi-NCR, Chandigarh, and Jaipur as major hotspots. Factors like intense heat and precursor gas emissions—specifically Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)—are driving this trend, leading to air quality standards being violated across major urban centers even during night hours. Why This Signals Regulatory Change For investors, the critical takeaway is not just the environmental data, but the advocacy for a shift in the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The CSE is pushing for "NCAP 2.0," a multi-pollutant strategy that specifically targets the precursor gases mentioned above. If the government adopts these recommendations, it implies that industries responsible for these emissions—such as automotive, chemicals, thermal power, and manufacturing—will likely face more stringent emission standards in the near future. The focus on "clean combustion" suggests that companies operating legacy technology or high-emission processes may need to accelerate their transition toward cleaner alternatives. Potential Business Impact The push to control NOx and VOCs could influence capital allocation for several sectors. Companies in the automotive space may face pressure to expedite the move toward cleaner combustion technologies or electric mobility. Similarly, industrial sectors that rely on high-emission manufacturing processes could see a rise in operational and capital expenses as they invest in pollution control systems, scrubbers, and emission monitoring equipment. While this increases short-term costs, it also creates a market for companies specializing in environmental engineering, pollution monitoring, and emission management technology. Understanding The Compliance Risk The main risk for investors is the potential for increased regulatory oversight. Tighter norms usually lead to higher compliance spending, which can weigh on profit margins if companies cannot pass these costs to consumers. Additionally, the move toward "integrated regional airshed management" means that industrial hubs could face collective restrictions if regional ozone levels exceed safe limits. This creates a degree of operational uncertainty for facilities located in high-pollution clusters like the NCR, where the study noted frequent violations. What Investors Should Track The primary monitorable is the official rollout and specific mandates of NCAP 2.0. Investors should track government notifications regarding new emission standards for industrial zones and the automotive sector. Management commentary from companies in the chemical, power, and auto sectors regarding their spending on emission reduction and clean technology transition will be important to evaluate the long-term impact on their profitability.

CSE names Delhi-NCR India's most persistent ozone hotspot in report

Delhi-NCR has just been named the country's most persistent ozone hotspot, thanks to a surge in ground-level ozone pollution. A new report from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that Delhi-NCR broke safe air quality limits for ozone on all 71 days of a recent study period this year. This kind of pollution, caused by things like car exhaust and industrial emissions reacting in sunlight, is now a year-round issue across Indian cities, not just up north. Ozone can harm health and wheat Ozone pollution isn't just about smoggy skies: it can seriously harm your lungs, make asthma worse, and raise risks of heart attacks and strokes. Cities like Chandigarh, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad saw big spikes during summer; Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai aren't far behind either. It's also hitting farms hard: wheat yields may be dropping by up to 15% each year because of this pollution. The CSE is calling for stronger action nationwide (like tackling multiple pollutants at once) to help protect both our health and our food supply.

Delhi-NCR Emerges As India's Biggest Ground-Level Ozone Hotspot; CSE Flags Growing Health Risk

A fresh analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has sounded the alarm about a rapidly growing environmental threat, revealing that ground-level ozone pollution has become a year-round public health crisis across India, rather than being limited to specific seasons or daytime hours. Delhi-NCR Emerges As Ozone Pollution Biggest Hotspot According to the analysis, Delhi-NCR has emerged as the biggest hotspot of ozone pollution in the country. Cities across North India, as well as southern and coastal regions, have also been affected by this invisible gas.

Third HSC brings together politicians, business leaders, academia to debate power of cooperation, driving progress together

June 29, themed, "The Power of Cooperation: Driving Progress Together," brought together high-level international representatives from politics, business, academia, and civil society. Through innovative, cross-sector dialogue formats, the conference aims to strengthen global cooperation and advance sustainable development. Around 1,600 participants from 115 countries, including German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, ministers, high-level representatives of international organizations, and executives from the private sector participated. The 15 alliances for a sustainable future were launched or substantially advanced as part of the conference. A special highlight was the launch of the North-South Commission on Development, co-chaired by Olaf Scholz, former Chancellor of Germany, and Laura Chinchilla, former President of Costa Rica. The world is in a phase of profound change. Multiple crises and conflicts are reshaping international security, the global economy, and development. Geopolitical tensions and uncertainties have intensified in recent years. The risk of further polarization is real and calls for decisive action and stronger international cooperation. Against this backdrop, HSC 2026 puts a positive perspective at the center: sustainable progress and dialogue toward a common future are possible. This requires the pragmatic recognition that cooperation can open up greater security and prosperity for all involved. The UNDP for HSC 2026 underscores in a survey across 15 countries, respondents identify accelerating the energy transition, protecting nature, and better access to finance as key priorities for the future. At the same time, the findings show that people expect stronger international cooperation and more effective mechanisms to address global challenges. HSC 2026 creates space for this important exchange and focuses on how constructive international cooperation can be shaped. At the concrete approaches and solutions. Initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, and the Michael Otto Foundation, the conference has established itself over the past two years as an international platform for open dialogue and concrete, joint solutions for sustainable development. A core element is the involvement of the private sector as an important partner for global progress and urgently needed future investments. This year, HSC focussed on three thematic areas: Resilient Economies, Technology and the Future of Our Planet; Risk, Uncertainty and Conflict; and Ensuring the Future of Human Collaboration: Multilateralism and Governance. The conference opened with speeches by Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg; Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany; Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations; Alexander De Croo, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development; and Achim Steiner, Chair of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference. In the subsequent opening panel on "Investing in Transformation," Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Masato Kanda, President of the Asian Development Bank, and Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, discussed the topic. Afterward, George Gray Molina, Head of Inclusive Growth and Chief Economist at UNDP, presented key findings from the HSC 2026 Curtain Raiser. The second day of the conference opened with the launch of the North-South Commission on Development, with remarks from Achim Steiner, Chair of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO); Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Further notable high-level participants from business and civil society include Christian Klein, Chief Executive Officer, SAP; Petra Scharner-Wolff, Chief Executive Officer, Otto Group; Chacko Thomas, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Tata Sons; Vera Songwe, Chair and Founder, Liquidity and Sustainability Facility; Amitabh Behar, Executive Director, Oxfam International; Ani Dasgupta, President and Chief Executive Officer, World Resources Institute; and Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment. HSC Chair Achim Steiner said: “We meet at a difficult moment for international cooperation. Geopolitical tensions, conflict and growing mistrust are reshaping our world. But the answer to fragmentation cannot be more fragmentation. In a multipolar century, the imperative is not less cooperation, but better and broader cooperation. The Hamburg Sustainability Conference brings together governments and international organizations, business and finance, civil society and science, cities and young leaders from across the world. We can choose to see this diversity of perspectives and interests as a source of division. Or we can recognize it for what it is: the essential capacity required to tackle the systemic challenges of our time. The HSC has emerged as a global platform for pragmatic ambition and future-oriented cooperation on sustainable development—a place where dialogue becomes commitment, commitment becomes collective action, and collective action delivers real-world progress.”

New Delhi announces EV policy to combat air pollution

New Delhi authorities announced a new policy Monday aimed at curbing pollution in the city, including incentives to get residents to scrap old vehicles for electric ones. New Delhi and its sprawling metropolitan region of 30 million residents is regularly ranked among the world’s most polluted capitals due to a mix of emissions from power plants, heavy traffic and the burning of rubbish and crops. “This is a historic step towards effectively controlling vehicular pollution in the capital and promoting clean transportation,” said Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The new EV policy would start July 1 and remain in place until March 31, 2030, she said. Gupta announced a slew of measures as part of the plan, including an incentive of “5,000 rupees ($53) to 100,000 rupees ($1,050) on scrapping old vehicles.” Buyers of new electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers will also get incentives of 30,000 rupees ($320) and 50,000 rupees ($530) respectively. Starting January 2027, the government will only register electric three-wheelers and small trucks, the chief minister said. And from April 2028, only new electric two-wheeler vehicles will be registered, she added. A study in The Lancet Planetary Health last year estimated that 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were linked to air pollution. Levels of cancer-causing PM 2.5 microparticles have hit more than 300 micrograms per cubic metre in the city, 20 times the World Health Organization’s recommended daily maximum. Government-led initiatives such as partial restrictions on fossil fuel-powered transport and water trucks spraying mist to clear the air have failed to make a noticeable impact. According to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment from last year, vehicular emissions contributed a little over half to the city’s pollution levels.

Delhi-NCR Identified as Central Region for Year-Round Ozone Pollution in India

The recent analysis conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has concluded that ground-level ozone, an invisible but highly damaging air pollutant, poses a significant public health and environmental challenge across Indian cities throughout the year. The assessment, based on six years of data from 25 cities, indicates that ozone pollution is no longer limited to seasonal peaks or specific urban areas. Instead, it has become widespread, with extended exposure increasingly prevalent in both inland and coastal regions. This study, examining data from the period of 2021 to 2026, has identified the Delhi-NCR region as the largest ozone hotspot in the country. This area struggles with high air quality index (AQI) readings largely due to increased levels of fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5 and PM10. The findings also highlight cities like Chandigarh, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru as experiencing significant levels of ozone exposure. Researchers attribute the escalating ozone issue to rising temperatures, heightened sunlight exposure, and increasing emissions of ozone-forming substances, which are fundamentally altering the air pollution landscape in India. This shift raises concerns beyond particulate matter, as there are implications for health and climate stability. Health Risks Associated with Ozone Exposure The analysis presents alarming implications for public health, with specialists emphasising the severity of ground-level ozone as a prominent air pollutant. Unlike the protective ozone layer found high in the atmosphere, ground-level ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds emitted from vehicles, industrial activities, household fuels, and waste incineration react under strong sunlight. According to the CSE, exposure to ozone has detrimental effects on lung health, instigating airway inflammation, aggravating asthma, and increasing sensitivity to allergens such as dust and pollen. Short-term exposure can lead to respiratory distress and hospitalisations, while chronic exposure has been linked to serious health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, cardiovascular-related fatalities, and the progressive decline of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Medical professionals have reported unexpected increases in asthma and respiratory conditions particularly during the summer months, although the report suggests further detailed epidemiological studies are necessary to establish specific local connections to these trends.

How Mumbai’s poor waste segregation contributes to methane emission spikes

“Biodegradable waste should not be dumped in landfills because the biodegradation process contributes significantly to methane and other GHG emissions. The average concentration of methane in a dumpsite ranges between 3 to 15 per cent by volume, which is much higher than the ambient concentration of methane (0.00017 per cent by volume),” a 2023 report by Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Science and Environment had noted.

New Delhi announces EV policy to combat air pollution

New Delhi authorities announced a new policy Monday aimed at curbing pollution in the city, including incentives to get residents to scrap old vehicles for electric ones. New Delhi and its sprawling metropolitan region of 30 million residents are regularly ranked among the world's most polluted capitals because of a mix of emissions from power plants, heavy traffic, and the burning of rubbish and crops. "This is a historic step toward effectively controlling vehicular pollution in the capital and promoting clean transportation," said Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The new EV policy would start July 1 and remain in place until March 31, 2030, she said. Gupta announced a slew of measures as part of the plan, including an incentive of "5,000 rupees ($53) to 100,000 rupees ($1,050) on scrapping old vehicles." Buyers of new electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers will also get incentives of 30,000 rupees ($320) and 50,000 rupees ($530), respectively. Starting in January 2027, the government will register only electric three-wheelers and small trucks, the chief minister said. Starting in April 2028, only new electric two-wheelers will be registered, she added. A study in The Lancet Planetary Health last year estimated that 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were linked to air pollution. Levels of cancer-causing PM 2.5 microparticles have exceeded 300 micrograms per cubic meter in the city, 20 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily maximum. Government-led initiatives such as partial restrictions on fossil fuel-powered transport and water trucks spraying mist to clear the air have failed to make a noticeable impact. According to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment last year, vehicular emissions contributed a little more than half of the city's pollution levels.

Delhi approves EV policy with incentives, vehicle tax exemptions

From next month, Delhiites buying electric cars priced up to Rs 30 lakh will not have to pay road tax or registration fees, as the Delhi government on Monday approved a new EV policy aimed at reducing vehicular pollution and accelerating the transition to cleaner transport in the national capital. The Electric Vehicle Policy proposes that 30 per cent of all school buses in Delhi be converted to electric by the end of March 2030. It seeks to transform Delhi into a pollution-free capital through zero-emission transport and will remain in force till March 31, 2030. Around 30,000 EV charging points will be set up across the city to expand charging infrastructure, and the government is committing over Rs 7,000 crore over the next four years to drive this transition. However, there is no incentive for hybrid vehicles. A dedicated online portal will be developed to enable applicants to apply for EV-related incentives under the policy. Transport and vehicular emissions remain the single largest contributor to Delhi's local PM 2.5 burden, accounting for nearly half of the pollution load. During last year's peak winter pollution period, vehicles contributed about 46 per cent to 53 per cent of the city's local PM2.5 levels, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment released on December 31 last year. Under the policy, a 100 per cent waiver of road tax and registration fees will be provided for all pure electric four-wheelers with an ex-showroom price of up to Rs 30 lakh. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said benefits worth around Rs 15,000 crore, including government investment, tax exemptions and EV infrastructure development, will be provided under the policy over the next four years to promote electric mobility and reduce vehicular pollution in the national capital. The policy, approved by the Delhi Cabinet, will come into effect from July 1 after the approval of the Lieutenant Governor, Gupta said, describing it as a major step towards making Delhi a pollution-free city by March 31, 2030. It lays special emphasis on the transport sector and provides a roadmap for the phased transition from conventional fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles. To encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, the government has announced purchase incentives for buyers. Under the policy, people buying electric two-wheelers will get a subsidy of Rs 30,000 in the first year, Rs 20,000 in the second year and Rs 10,000 in the third year. Similarly, buyers of electric three-wheelers, including e-autos, will be eligible for incentives of Rs 50,000, Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 in the first, second and third years, respectively. Buyers of N1 category electric trucks will receive a purchase incentive of up to Rs 1 lakh, according to an official. As part of the policy, only electric autorickshaws will be registered in Delhi from January 1, 2027, while registration of new petrol and CNG two-wheelers will be phased out, with only electric two-wheelers to be registered from April 1, 2028. The policy also provides a scrapping incentive of Rs 1 lakh for owners of BS-IV or older four-wheelers who scrap their vehicles and switch to electric vehicles. She said the policy also envisages expansion of charging infrastructure, vehicle scrapping facilities and other measures to accelerate the transition to electric mobility across the city. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at EnviroCatalyst, had earlier said the Delhi EV Policy 2026-2030 anchors the right to clean air directly to the constitutional right to life. "By addressing vehicular emissions, a primary pollution source, the government is finally ensuring the transport sector takes ownership of its responsibility to provide a livable environment," Dahiya had told PTI. Total vehicle registrations in Delhi rose by 17.9 per cent to 8.50 lakh units in FY 2025-26, up from about 7.21 lakh units in 2024-25. Between the financial years 2019-20 and 2025-26, more than 4.07 lakh EVs were registered in the city. An analysis of data from the Vahan dashboard of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways by EnviroCatalysts, an independent research body, showed that EV registrations increased from 83,512 in 2024 25 to 1.07 lakh in 2025 26. Hybrid electric vehicle registrations also rose during the same period from 6,796 to 8,476.

दिल्ली सरकार ने ईवी नीति को मंजूरी दी, ई-वाहनों को सड़क कर, पंजीकरण शुल्क से छूट

दिल्ली सरकार ने इलेक्ट्रिक वाहन (ईवी) वाहन नीति को सोमवार को मंजूरी प्रदान कर दी जिसके तहत राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में 30 लाख रुपये कीमत तक की ई-गाड़ियों खरीदने पर न तो सड़क कर देना होगा और न ही पंजीकरण शुल्क लगेगा। इस नीति का मकसद गाड़ियों से होने वाले प्रदूषण को कम करना और दिल्ली में स्वच्छ परिवहन के इस्तेमाल को बढ़ावा देना है। इलेक्ट्रिक वाहन नीति में प्रस्तावित है कि मार्च 2030 तक दिल्ली के स्कूल की 30 फीसदी बसें इलेक्ट्रिक होनी चाहिए। यह नीति शून्य-उत्सर्जन परिवहन के माध्यम से दिल्ली को प्रदूषण मुक्त राजधानी में बदलना चाहती है और 31 मार्च 2030 तक लागू रहेगी। चार्जिंग बुनियादी ढांचे का विस्तार करने के लिए शहर भर में लगभग 30,000 ईवी ‘चार्जिंग पॉइंट’ स्थापित किए जाएंगे। सरकार ने इस परिवर्तिन को आगे बढ़ाने के लिए अगले चार वर्षों में 7,000 करोड़ रुपये से अधिक की प्रतिबद्धता जताई है। हाइब्रिड’ वाहनों के लिए कोई प्रोत्साहन नहीं दिया जाएगा। नीति के तहत ईवी-संबंधित प्रोत्साहनों के लिए आवेदन करने के वास्ते एक समर्पित ऑनलाइन पोर्टल भी शुरू किया जाएगा। दिल्ली के पीएम 2.5 का सबसे बड़ा स्रोत गाड़ियों से होना वाला उत्सर्जन है। कुल पीएम 2.5 प्रदूषण में लगभग 50 प्रतिशत योगदान वाहनों से निकलने वाले धुएं और उनसे जुड़े उत्सर्जन का है। पिछले साल 31 दिसंबर में जारी सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की एक रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, गत वर्ष सर्दियों में सबसे ज्यादा प्रदूषण अवधि के दौरान, वाहनों ने शहर के स्थानीय पीएम 2.5 स्तरों में लगभग 46 प्रतिशत से 53 प्रतिशत का योगदान दिया था। नीति के तहत, 30 लाख रुपये तक की एक्स-शोरूम कीमत वाले सभी इलेक्ट्रिक चार पहिया वाहनों के लिए सड़क कर और पंजीकरण शुल्क में 100 प्रतिशत छूट प्रदान की जाएगी। मुख्यमंत्री रेखा गुप्ता ने संवाददाता सम्मेलन में कहा कि राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में इलेक्ट्रिक परिवहन को बढ़ावा देने और वाहन से होने वाले प्रदूषण को कम करने के लिए अगले चार वर्षों में नीति के तहत सरकारी निवेश, कर छूट और ईवी बुनियादी ढांचे के विकास सहित लगभग 15,000 करोड़ रुपये के लाभ प्रदान किए जाएंगे। दिल्ली कैबिनेट द्वारा अनुमोदित नीति, उपराज्यपाल की मंजूरी के बाद एक जुलाई से लागू होगी। गुप्ता ने इसे 31 मार्च, 2030 तक दिल्ली को प्रदूषण मुक्त शहर बनाने की दिशा में एक बड़ा कदम बताया। मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा कि नई नीति के तहत दोपहिया, तिपहिया, चारपहिया, एन-1 श्रेणी (साढ़े तीन टन तक माल ढोने वाले) के मालवाहक वाहन, एन2 (साढ़े तीन टन से 12 टन माल ढोने वाले) ट्रक और ग्रामीण सेवा वाहनों को शामिल किया गया है। नई नीति परिवहन क्षेत्र पर विशेष जोर देती है और पारंपरिक ईंधन से चलने वाले वाहनों से इलेक्ट्रिक वाहनों में चरणबद्ध परिवर्तन के लिए एक रोडमैप प्रदान करती है। इलेक्ट्रिक वाहनों को अपनाने को प्रोत्साहित करने के लिए सरकार ने खरीदारों के लिए प्रोत्साहन की घोषणा की है। नई नीति के तहत ई-दो पहिया वाहन खरीदने वाले लोगों को पहले साल 30,000 रुपये, दूसरे साल 20,000 रुपये और तीसरे साल 10,000 रुपये की सब्सिडी मिलेगी। इलेक्ट्रिक तिपहिया वाहनों के खरीदार पहले, दूसरे और तीसरे वर्ष में क्रमशः 50,000 रुपये, 40,000 रुपये और 30,000 रुपये के प्रोत्साहन के पात्र होंगे। एक अधिकारी के अनुसार, एन1 श्रेणी के इलेक्ट्रिक ट्रकों के खरीदारों को एक लाख रुपये तक का खरीद प्रोत्साहन मिलेगा। गुप्ता ने कहा कि सरकार ने किसी भी श्रेणी में प्रोत्साहन की संख्या पर कोई सीमा निर्धारित नहीं की है और जितने लोग इलेक्ट्रिक वाहन खरीदेंगे, सरकार उतने ही लोगों को प्रोत्साहन प्रदान करेगी। नीति के तहत एक जनवरी, 2027 से दिल्ली में केवल इलेक्ट्रिक ऑटोरिक्शा पंजीकृत किए जाएंगे, जबकि नए पेट्रोल और सीएनजी दोपहिया वाहनों का पंजीकरण चरणबद्ध तरीके से समाप्त कर दिया जाएगा और एक अप्रैल, 2028 से केवल इलेक्ट्रिक दोपहिया वाहनों का पंजीकरण किया जाएगा। मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा, “पुराने प्रदूषणकारी वाहनों को हटाने के लिए सरकार ने आकर्षक स्क्रैपिंग प्रोत्साहन भी प्रदान किया है। इसके अंतर्गत बीएस-चार या उससे पुराने दोपहिया वाहन स्क्रैप करने पर 10,000 रुपये, तिपहिया पर 25,000 रुपये, चार पहिया वाहन पर एक लाख रुपये, एन-1 ट्रक पर 50,000 रुपये और ग्रामीण सेवा वाहन पर 15,000 रुपये का प्रोत्साहन दिया जाएगा।” गुप्ता ने कहा, “ सभी प्रोत्साहन राशि डीबीटी के माध्यम से सीधे लाभार्थियों के बैंक खातों में भेजी जाएगी। सब्सिडी पाने के लिए इलेक्ट्रिक वाहन खरीदने वाले को ईवी पोर्टल पर आवेदन करना होगा। आवेदन करने के बाद 60 दिनों में प्रोत्साहन राशि डीबीटी के माध्यम से भेजी जाएगी। पोर्टल 1 जुलाई के बाद शुरू किया जाएगा।” उन्होंने कहा कि दिल्ली में वायु प्रदूषण का बड़ा हिस्सा व्यावसायिक मालवाहक वाहनों और दोपहिया एवं तिपहिया वाहनों से होने वाले उत्सर्जन के कारण है और इसी कारण नीति में इन श्रेणियों को विशेष प्राथमिकता दी गई है ताकि प्रदूषण में प्रभावी कमी लाई जा सके। वित्तीय वर्ष 2019-20 से 2025-26 के बीच, शहर में 4.07 लाख से ज़्यादा ईवी पंजीकृत किए गए। स्वतंत्र रिसर्च संस्था, ‘एनवायरो कैटलिस्ट्स’ ने सड़क परिवहन और राजमार्ग मंत्रालय के ‘वाहन’ डैशबोर्ड के डेटा का विश्लेषण किया। इस विश्लेषण से पता चला कि ईवी पंजीकरण2024-25 में 83,512 से बढ़कर 2025-26 में 1.07 लाख हो गया। इसी दौरान हाइब्रिड इलेक्ट्रिक वाहनों का पंजीकरण भी 6,796 से बढ़कर 8,476 हो गया।