Latest news with #NCAP
India Today
9 hours ago
- Health
- India Today
Delhi made worthy leaps but why clean air is still a long work in progress
Delhi is not the city that comes to mind with the words 'Clean Air' but rather the abject absence of it. A recent nationwide review of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), has shown that the Delhi administration's multi-pronged actions to crack down on sources of air pollution has covered much ground, yet more remains to be clean air action precedes the NCAP programme. Its early moves were driven by interventions from the Supreme Court and its monitoring body, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, established by the top court in dust due to transport is the source of close to 40 per cent of PM (particulate matter) 2.5 pollution. To begin with, Delhi substituted diesel fuel with compressed natural gas (CNG) in its public transport and local commercial transport. Then it put restrictions on entry of trucks; imposed a pollution tax on daily truck entries, diesel fuel sold and diesel cars sold with 2000 cc engines; phased out 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles; banned polluting industrial fuels like coal, furnace oil and pet coke; and also closed all coal-based power 2020, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has restricted the entry of pre-Bharat Stage IV inter-state buses; banned diesel generator sets; and initiated hotspot action on dispersed sources. The Delhi government's electric vehicle policy has attained fleet electrification level of 12 per cent. The long-term action on coal and diesel has cumulatively led to major reductions in their consumption and led to reduction of Simultaneously, the city has also worked on management of its construction and demolition waste. Its waste collection process is streamlined, with geo-tagged collection depots, colour-coded skip-hauler bins and smartphone apps that show residents nearest drop-off points. Delhi has the highest recycling capacity in the country of 5,150 tonnes per day. The government has also mandated all public agencies to use recycled even after such extensive action, Delhi still requires another 62 per cent cut in PM2.5 levels to meet the national clean air standards. 'Delhi's multi-sector clean air action so far has been the most diverse, structural and systemic in nature in several cases, and relatively more comprehensive compared to most other cities in the country. While this has helped bend the long-term pollution curve, the clean air target is still way off,' states the CSE the need for urgent action, the report stated that Delhi's case study presents a strong lesson for other cities regarding the scale and speed of change needed. 'The clean air action is still an unfinished agenda in Delhi,' it CSE review focuses on selected case studies from across India that showcase emerging good practices in clean air action in four different sectors: vehicles, industries, solid waste, and construction and demolition waste. But it also lays bare some of the systemic drawbacks that have kept the programme from reaching its full potential. Delhi, Kolkata, Noida, Surat, Kochi, Indore, Srinagar and Bengaluru have been covered in the review shows that while NCAP has helped establish the national air quality management framework with clean air targets, identified the non-attainment cities, and adopted the first-ever performance-linked funding strategy, its interventions have been largely confined to road-dust control, especially in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Funding available under the programme is not equitably spread across priority measures in the combustion sectors,' said CSE executive director Anumita Delhi, the report highlights the need to address gaps in transport emissions. 'The Electric Bus programme needs to significantly improve service level city-wide. Metro and bus service must be integrated with advanced last-mile connectivity like feeders and paratransit options for seamless journeys,' it says. The electric vehicle policy 2.0 being prepared should have a clear roadmap to achieve the target of 95 per cent fleet electrification by 2030 for zero emission gaps in industrial pollution control, it is stated that the piped natural gas network must be strengthened to ensure 100 per cent coverage of all industrial units. Cost of natural gas pricing must also be kept affordable on a longer term monitoring of industries needs to be strengthened. Management of non-hazardous industrial waste must be implemented to prevent open dumping and burning. It is also recommended to bring industrial units in peripheral and non-conforming areas within the monitoring system and mandate display of consent to operate certificate from Delhi Pollution Control to India Today MagazineMust Watch
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
MMDA files complaints vs over 50 motorists over covered license plates
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has filed complaints against over 50 motorists for covering their license plates to avoid getting caught under the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP). In Joseph Morong's Monday report on '24 Oras,' the licensed plates of motorists were seen covered with various objects including a face mask, paper plate, leaves, and underwear. A motorist was also caught using the EDSA busway without a license plate, but upon inspection, authorities found that he had hidden it in the compartment of his motorcycle. 'Hindi lang po mga motorcycles, but now to the extent even four-wheel vehicles. Deliberately tinatakpan po ang mga plaka just to escape the mere apprehension of the NCAP,' said Gabriel Go, head of MMDA special operations group. (We also filed a complaint not just against motorcycle riders but also four-wheeled vehicles. They deliberately cover their license plates just to escape the mere apprehension of the NCAP.) Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will send a show cause order to the violators to hear their explanations. The MMDA and LTO warned motorists that they may face criminal charges for covering their license plates. They may face a fine of P5,000 for violating the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act. 'May pagkakulong po ito na six months and one day to two years. Sumunod na lang po tayo sa batas para po hindi lumaki ang problema ninyo,' LTO executive director Greg Pua said. (They may be imprisoned for six months and one day to two years. Just follow the traffic rules to minimize your problems.) He added that motorists cannot use the excuse that they have yet to receive their license plate since there is no backlog. 'Kung wala pa silang nakuha na plaka, dapat nakalagay sa likod nila yung MB file number. Without the plate po, we can also apprehend para malaman bakit wala ka pang plaka,' Pua said. (If they don't have the license plate yet, the MB file number should be placed on the back of the motorcycle. We can apprehend them to know why they don't have their license plate yet.) Motorists may also check the plate number tracker if their plates are already available. The license plates can be delivered to their homes. Since the implementation of NCAP last May 26, about 700 motorists a day have been caught violating traffic rules. However, none have been given a notice yet since MMDA personnel are still validating the cases. Meanwhile, the Stop NCAP Coalition held a protest to call for its suspension until roads and signage are fixed. They will file a temporary restraining order against NCAP before the Supreme Court. In a petition filed before the Supreme Court, the petitioner is seeking clarification on where the NCAP should be implemented. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
MMDA reports over 50 motorists who covered license plates to LTO
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday reported to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) more than 50 motorists who covered their license plates to evade capture under the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP). MMDA Special Operations Group - Strike Force head Gabriel Go turned over some evidence such as photos to LTO Executive Director Greg Pua to identify the registered owners of the vehicles in question. 'We would like to formally present our complaint, on behalf of our chairman Atty. Don Artes. We already compiled more than 50 na mga litrato kung saan tinatakpan ang mga plaka ng mga sasakyan,' Go said in a press conference. (We would like to formally present our complaint, on behalf of our chairman Atty. Don Artes. We already compiled more than 50 photos of vehicles with license plates covered.) Pua said once the registered owners of the vehicles are identified, the LTO will issue a show cause order against them. 'With these complaints. Rest assured po, mag-i-issue tayo ng show cause order dito po. Malalaman po natin kung sino-sino po ito. We will issue the show cause order and we will use all reasonable means available para matigil na itong gawain na ito,' he added. (With these complaints. Rest assured, we will issue a show cause order. We will determine. We will find out who they are. We will issue the show cause order and we will use all reasonable means available to stop this violation.) The Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act penalizes tampering of license plates with P5,000 fine and up to two years implementation of NCAP resumed on May 26 after the Supreme Court (SC) partially lifted the temporary restraining order (TRO) against the policy, allowing only the MMDA to implement the program. NCAP is a policy that uses closed-circuit television, digital cameras and/or other gadgets or technology to capture videos and images to apprehend vehicles violating traffic laws, instead of traffic enforcers on the ground. Under the policy, violators can pay fines later online or at the MMDA office. They can also contest their supposed violations caught under the NCAP. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Automotive
- GMA Network
NCAP will remain amid postponement of EDSA rebuild —DOTr
The No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) will remain amid the postponement of the EDSA rehabilitation, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Monday. 'I think so, I think so. I think NCAP will stay because NCAP is not just about EDSA. It's about enforcing— a more efficient way of enforcing our traffic rules,' Dizon said in a press briefing. Over the weekend, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. announced the postponement of the rehabilitation, which was supposed to begin on June 13. Marcos said the project needs to be studied for one month to know if there are new technologies that can be used to hasten the rehabilitation of the 23.8-kilometer road. 'I want to do this faster, 'yun ang sinabi po ng pangulo. Gusto niyang mas mabilis. Ang sabi nga niya kung kayang anim na buwan lang,' Dizon said. (The president said he wants to do this faster. He even said, if it can be done in just six months.) The Department of Transportation previously said heavy traffic is expected once the EDSA rehabilitation begins. It was expected to last until 2027. 'I think this shows the President's resolve in not only rebuilding EDSA but in making sure that the inconvenience to the motoring public and to the commuters is minimized using the most advanced technology that is out there,' Dizon added. NCAP was resumed after the Supreme Court partially lifted the temporary restraining order against the policy, allowing only the MMDA to implement it. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Automotive
- GMA Network
DOLE urges employers to allow work-from-home setup amid EDSA rehab
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday suggested that employers consider adopting alternative work setups, such as working from home, as many workers will be affected by the rehabilitation of EDSA next month. According to Joseph Morong's report in '24 Oras' on Friday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said EDSA is home to many business establishments, with nearly 50 malls on the stretch. 'Mutually beneficial po. Hindi po makakapinsila sa pagpapatuloy ng negosyo, pero matiyak din po na hindi rin mapipinsila ang ating mga mangagawa,' said DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma during an inter-agency meeting. (This will be mutually beneficial. It will not affect the businesses and at the same time we can make sure that workers will not be inconvenienced.) The Pasay and Guadalupe portions will be the first to be affected by the first wave of the rebuilding program that will begin on June 13. For its part, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) said that alternative work arrangements may not be effective for some. 'Sana pabayaan yung mga kumpanya at yung mga tao nila na mag-usap, diskartehan nila, kanya-kanya,' said ECOP president Sergio Ortiz. (Let's leave it to the companies and their employees to decide on that.) ECOP also sought incentives for business establishments that would implement alternative work setups. The government earlier said that the rehabilitation on the major thoroughfare will go on full blast by July or August. Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said that the DOTr will check if the odd-even coding scheme to be implemented during the rehabilitation period would be effective. The said vehicular scheme will have a dry run on June 16. On the other hand, transport groups said that the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) should have been implemented after the rehabilitation. Motorcycle taxi riders are complaining that the NCAP implementation has made their daily rides difficult. 'Mayroong reklamo sa akin na 'Sir, baka wedeng pakibilisan?' Sabi ko, 'Hindi tayo pwedeng dumaan diyan sa bike lane kasi bawal,'' said motorcycle taxi operator Paul Rosales. (Someone complained to me if I can go faster. I told him that we cannot use the bike lane.) 'Maganda ang layunin ng motorcycle lane, ang problema yung kalsada doon baku-bako,' said Kagulong Secretary General Don Pangan. (Motorcycle lanes are beneficial, however, the roads there are rough.) –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News
