Mumbai Pollution: Will Maharashtra Ban Petrol, Diesel Vehicles In MMR Areas For Cleaner Air?

Mumbai Pollution:  In response to the city's poor air quality, the Maharashtra government has formed a committee to investigate the possibility of banning fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with only CNG and EVs permitted. It should be noted that the MMR includes areas from the surrounding districts, such as Thane, Raigad, and Palghar.

According to the PTI report, the committee chaired by senior IAS official Sudhir Kumar Shrivastava is likely to conduct a research and present a report with recommendations within three months.

The seven-member committee is made up of Maharashtra's transport commissioner, Mumbai's joint police commissioner (traffic), the managing director of Mahanagar Gas Limited, the project manager of Maharashtra State Power Distribution Company Limited (Mahavitaran), the president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and the joint transport commissioner (enforcement-1), who will serve as member secretary.

It should be highlighted that the committee has the power to recruit experts in relevant sectors as additional members and solicit their feedback.

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According to PTI, the Bombay High Court expressed significant concerns about traffic congestion and rising pollution levels in Mumbai in a suo moto (on its own) Public Interest Litigation heard on January 9, highlighting their negative impacts on quality of life, the environment, and overall sustainability.

The High Court acknowledged that car emissions are a significant contribution to air pollution and stated that present techniques for managing vehicle numbers and reducing pollution in Mumbai are ineffective.

In response to the High Court's criticisms, the state government formed this committee of specialists to investigate and report on the possibility of prohibiting petrol and diesel cars within the MMR, while allowing only CNG and electric vehicles.