Smog Stories: Will Closure Of Toll Plazas Reduce Air Pollution In Delhi, What's Behind SC Directive? Expert Explains

Smog Stories: The air quality in Delhi-NCR has remained in the 'poor' to 'severe' category in the past two months, leading to serious health issues for the residents. While there are several factors behind the air pollution in the national capital, the primary contributor are vehicular emissions with over 50 per cent share, as per a report by the Centre of Science and Environment (CSE). The report suggests that the gases released by vehicles are harmful and they choke the surface wind, leading to the air pollution. While addressing the issue, the Supreme Court has suggested the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to either close or temporarily shift the toll plazas to curb the air pollution.

Why Supreme Court Called For Closing Toll Plazas?

On December 17, the Supreme Court urged the civic and highway authorities to either shift the toll plazas or temporarily shut them till the end of January, at least. It asserted that the long-hour congestion at the traffic plazas led to the aggregation of harmful gases, worsening the situation. The apex court pointed out that hundreds of vehicles remain stranded at the Delhi-Gurugram border on a daily basis due to the toll plazas, adding that the authority must take necessary steps to improve the situation.

"We have also asked the NHAI to consider the possibility of shifting the nine toll collection booths of the MCD in Delhi at such locations which can be manned by NHAI and the part of the toll collected by it can be diverted to the MCD to compensate for the perceived temporary loss," the Supreme Court stated. "Meanwhile the MCD is directed to cooperate on the issue and consider for nine toll plazas to be suspended for a temporary period," it added.

MCD Not Shutting Toll Plazas: AAP

Nearly two weeks after the SC directive, AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj on Monday pointed out that the MCD has not shut the toll plazas even as the air quality continues to worsen. "Hopeless Situation. Against the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court, vehicles are being stopped for collecting toll tax at all tolls. These toll barriers around Delhi have become Hotspots for spreading pollution in Delhi. Why can’t the BJP ruled MCD & Delhi Govt do their basic works instead of nautanki?" Bhardwaj stated in his post on X.

ALSO READ: Smog Stories: Delhi Remains World's Most Polluted City; Is There Any Hope For Clear Air Ever?

Why MCD Is Against Closing Toll Plazas

While the Supreme Court asserted that the shutting of toll plazas could improve the air quality, the MCD has stated that the toll collection was necessary for the maintenance of roads and other key purposes. The Delhi government has assured that key steps are being taken to curb the air pollution.

Can Closing Toll Plazas Help Curb Pollution

While the Supreme Court stated that shifting toll plazas will help in improving the air quality, Environmentalist Aakiz Farooq stated that it is not likely to have a significant impact. "Shifting toll plazas can reduce pollution at some spots, but it will not improve the air quality significantly as the vehicles will still enter the national capital. The authorities must take decisions which can have a long-term effect on the air quality," Farooq told Jagran.Com.

As the focus shifts on the toll plazas amid rising air pollution levels, let us take a look at how vehicular emissions harm the environment and what are the reasons behind congestion at toll plazas.

Pollutants by Vehicular Emission:

-Carbon Monoxide (CO): Reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.

-Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Contributes to global warming.

-Nitrogen Oxide (NOₓ): Contributes to smog and acid rain.

-Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10): Can cause diseases like asthma and bronchitis.

-Sulfur dioxide (SO₂): Can cause respiratory issues and acid rain.

ALSO READ: Smog Stories: Aravalli Crucial In Fight Against Air Pollution; Know How Much Of The Ancient Hills Has Delhi-NCR Lost

Factors behind congestion at toll plazas:

- Manual verifications

- Vehicles with insufficient RFID wallet balances

- Lane violations

- Efforts to apprehend toll evaders

CONCLUSION

The national capital has been dealing with the deteriorated air quality for the past several years. One of the main contributors in the situation is the harmful gases released by the vehicles operating in the city. The Supreme Court suggested to temporarily shift the toll plazas to reduce the traffic congestion at nine centres. The court asserted that free vehicular movement will improve the air quality; however, the experts have stated that the move is not likely to have a major impact on the situation.

(This article is part of the series 'Smog Stories'. To read more articles in the series, click here)