Latest news with #Sirsa
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Logistics and warehousing policy to be announced soon: Sirsa
The Delhi government will soon launch the Logistics and Warehousing Policy, 2025, said Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Sunday. The government is exploring dedicated logistics hubs, green freight corridors, and technology-driven solutions, as the policy, which aims to ease congestion, curb pollution, and boost ease of doing business, is expected to be made public in 15 days, according to the Minister's office. The policy will be structured around 16 key action points, which collectively aim to overhaul Delhi's logistics landscape, including 24/7 operations for logistics parks through amendments to the Model Shops Act, digital delivery management to optimize truck movement and reduce peak-hour traffic, and merging trade and establishment licenses to cut red tape for warehousing businesses and others. 'This is a game-changer policy. It will make our logistics ecosystem cleaner, faster, and more competitive. Traders will gain, commuters will breathe easier, and Delhi will set a benchmark for sustainable urban freight,' Mr. Sirsa said. Mr. Sirsa said that Delhi currently handles 10 lakh tonnes of freight per day through 1.93 lakh vehicles, 21% of which passes through traffic. The largest share is carried by trucks transporting building materials (4,132 vehicles/day), textiles (3,995), fruits and vegetables (2,569), and food products (2,468). Even pharmaceuticals (559) and automobiles (588) contribute to congestion. 'Without proper warehousing zones, these vehicles enter city interiors, clogging major routes and worsening pollution,' Mr. Sirsa said. The Minister said that the draft policy proposes relocating warehouses to the periphery, consolidating freight at three modern Urban Consolidation and Logistics Distribution Centres to be built on city outskirts with incentives for traders and shifting last-mile deliveries to electric and CNG vehicles. 'These measures will cut vehicular emissions and reduce congestion at hotspots like Azadpur, Ghazipur, Naraina, and Karol Bagh, delivering a significant win for air quality,' he added.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Delhi to soon get logistics policy to ease traffic, clean air: Minister Sirsa
The Delhi government is preparing to launch its Logistics and Warehousing Policy 2025, with the draft outlining measures to decongest Delhi, reduce pollution and improve trade efficiency, an official said on Sunday. The government is exploring dedicated logistics hubs, green freight corridors, and technology-driven solutions — initiatives that promise to ease traffic, cut emissions, and boost the ease of doing business. Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the absence of a comprehensive warehousing policy in the past has severely impacted Delhi's environment and economy. 'For years, the national capital suffered from clogged roads, chaotic freight movement, and rising pollution because the previous government failed to act. Traders were left to struggle with outdated systems. Our government is correcting this through a forward-looking policy that will create dedicated logistics hubs, reduce emissions, and ease business operations,' he said. Delhi currently handles 10 lakh tonnes of freight per day through 1.93 lakh vehicles, 21 per cent of which pass through traffic. The largest share is carried by trucks transporting building materials (4,132 vehicles/day), textiles (3,995), fruits and vegetables (2,569), and food products (2,468), while even pharmaceuticals (559) and automobiles (588) contribute to congestion. Without proper warehousing zones, these vehicles enter city interiors, clogging major routes and worsening pollution, said an official statement. Sirsa said the draft policy proposes relocating warehouses to the periphery and shifting last-mile deliveries to electric and CNG vehicles. These measures will cut vehicular emissions and reduce congestion at hotspots like Azadpur, Ghazipur, Naraina, and Karol Bagh. The upcoming policy is structured around 16 key action points, which collectively aim to overhaul Delhi's logistics landscape. Among the major initiatives are: 24/7 operations for logistics parks through amendments to the Model Shops Act; digital delivery management to optimise truck movement and reduce peak-hour traffic; and creation of designated commercial parking areas with loading bays under the PPP model. The draft also talks about the development of Urban Consolidation and Logistics Distribution Centres (UCLDCs) to consolidate cargo and shift last-mile delivery to clean fuel vehicles. Sirsa said the draft policy also proposes merging trade and establishment licences to cut red tape for warehousing businesses. These action points will directly address bottlenecks, from truck parking shortages to outdated freight handling systems, making Delhi's supply chain more efficient and environmentally sustainable, he said. The draft policy also outlines a comprehensive set of subsidies to support industry players and encourage sustainable practices. These include land lease discounts to incentivise traders relocating warehouses from congested city centres, subsidies for technology adoption, and financial support for upgrading cold chains and storage facilities, added Sirsa.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
"Pollution Should Be The Criteria": Minister On Old Vehicles' Ban In Delhi
New Delhi: The Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court seeking a review of its 2018 order, which bans diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the Delhi-NCR region. The petition argues that the age-based ban is outdated and unfairly targets even roadworthy, non-polluting vehicles, hitting middle-class owners the hardest. The plea comes amid growing backlash over the Commission for Air Quality Management's (CAQM) July order to stop fuel supply to vehicles that fall under the "end-of-life" category. That order has now been deferred till November 1 after strong public opposition and intervention by the Delhi government. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed the development, saying the situation has changed significantly since 2018. "The situation of 2025 is totally different from 2018, and there are many modern technologies available now. We want to apprise the honourable court, and that's why we have filed the review," Mr Sirsa told NDTV. Mr Sirsa added, "If a vehicle is polluting, it should be banned, regardless of whether it's five years old or fifteen. Pollution should be the criteria, not the age of the vehicle." The petition warns that continuing with the 2018 ruling will lead to even BS-VI compliant vehicles being taken off the roads in the coming years, without scientific justification. It questions why even BS-IV vehicles that pass Pollution Under Control (PUC) tests are being sidelined and calls for decisions to be based on updated emissions data. The government has urged the court to order a comprehensive, scientific study on how older vehicles contribute to pollution, rather than relying on blanket age-based rules. The petition also cited that other countries like Japan, the US, and those in the EU do not ban vehicles solely based on age. Instead, they rely on regular testing and real-time emissions data to decide if a vehicle should remain on the road. The debate has struck a chord with vehicle owners across NCR, many of whom say they've suffered despite owning well-maintained cars. Naresh Malik, a South Delhi resident, shared his ordeal, "I had to sell my Corolla Altis, which had only run 34,000 km in 15 years, at a throwaway price. It was in perfect condition. Today's cars can easily last 2.5 lakh kilometres. Why are we judged just on age?" "If the aim is to reduce pollution, the focus should be on traffic congestion and stricter PUC (Pollution Under Control) checks, not arbitrary rules. I'm hopeful the court will understand the practical concerns of people like us, especially the financial burden we face," he added. The CAQM's July 1 directive to stop refuelling ELV vehicles had triggered widespread public outcry. Minister Sirsa wrote to the commission asking for a pause, and Lt Governor VK Saxena later advised the government to take the matter to the Supreme Court. The case is now listed for hearing on Monday, and its outcome could impact thousands of vehicle owners across the capital region, as well as future national policies on vehicle retirement and pollution control.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Transport & environment depts studying ban on overage vehicles, to submit report
Delhi govt asked its transport and environment departments to study the current guidelines on end-of-life vehicles, enforcement against overaged vehicles and the reaction of the public and stakeholders to the action. Govt will also assess the removal of vehicles so far and the impact of this on air quality levels, officials said on Thursday. One official added, "Govt may then file a review petition on the policy in the Supreme Court based on the findings and reports submitted by the two departments." Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, "The environment and transport departments are studying, separately, the guidelines, their impact on the public and the benefits and consequences on ground and air quality levels. Once they complete their studies and submit the report, govt will take further decisions on filing a petition in the court." The departments will also mention the other measures they took in the last five months to curb air pollution in the city and their results, said a govt official. A 2014 order of the National Green Tribunal also prohibits the parking of vehicles aged over 15 years in public places. Following the NGT and Supreme Court's order, in 2021-22, the transport department began de-registering petrol and diesel vehicles that had completed, respectively, 15 years and 10 years of life. Then in 2023, the transport department launched an enforcement drive against these overaged vehicles found parked in public places or running on the roads. However, several vehicle owners moved court, following which govt was asked to come up with proper guidelines to handle ELVs in Delhi. The current govt relaunched the enforcement drive in July and banned provision of fuel to ELVs, both cars, trucks and bikes. However, after facing public heat the drive was halted on grounds of "critical operational and infrastructural challenges". Sirsa also wrote to pollution watchdog Commission for Air Quality Management pleading the city authorities could not accommodate the panel's imposition of the anti-ELV measure. After this, lieutenant governor VK Saxena wrote to CM Rekha Gupta, asking Delhi govt to seek a review petition before the apex court against its 2018 order restricting petrol vehicles beyond 15 years and diesel vehicles beyond 10 years from plying in Delhi-NCR. "How can a vehicle banned as unfit in Delhi run lawfully in other cities? This is against equal treatment," LG queried in the letter. Citing equality and socio-economic reasons, Saxena underlined that such rules should be proportionate, non-arbitrary and not solely based on a rigid age-based classification. He also said that the ban should be put on hold unless it was implemented across NCR. He sought a comprehensive air pollution mitigation plan within three months. Talking on similar lines, Gupta said, "Just as we requested CAQM to review its decision on overage vehicles, we will approach the Supreme Court to give us a detailed overview of our preparation in the fight against pollution, and we will let the court know of public grievances. We will fight for the rights of people.">
NDTV
5 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Delhi To File Review Petition In Supreme Court On Older Vehicle Ban
New Delhi: The Delhi government is weighing the option of filing a review petition in the Supreme Court against its order banning overaged petrol and diesel vehicles. Senior officials said on Thursday that the Transport and Environment departments have been directed to carry out a detailed study on the policy's implementation and impact. The two departments have been asked to evaluate the effectiveness of current end-of-life vehicle (ELV) guidelines, challenges in enforcement, public and stakeholder feedback, and the overall effect of these measures on Delhi's air quality. "The government may file a review petition in the top court based on the findings and reports submitted by both departments," a Delhi government official told NDTV. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed the move, saying the departments are working independently to assess the outcomes of the policy on the ground. "The Environment and Transport departments are studying the guidelines, their impact on the public, and the benefits and consequences related to air quality," said Mr Sirsa. "Once both reports are submitted, the government will take a final decision on whether to approach the court." The development comes weeks after the government relaunched a strict enforcement drive in July, targeting overaged vehicles - petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years. The drive included a ban on fuel supply to such vehicles but was soon paused following strong public backlash and what officials described as "critical operational and infrastructural challenges." The pause in enforcement also follows a letter from Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, who wrote to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urging a review of the Supreme Court's 2018 directive, citing concerns about regional disparity. "How can a vehicle banned as unfit in Delhi run lawfully in other cities? This is against equal treatment," Mr Saxena wrote, calling for a uniform policy across the National Capital Region (NCR). He also urged that age-based rules be revisited to ensure they are proportionate, fair, and not arbitrary. Officials said the review being conducted by the departments will also detail the pollution-control measures taken over the past five months and their outcomes. Minister Sirsa, in a letter to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) earlier, had argued that Delhi's infrastructure and public transport ecosystem are currently not equipped to support a sweeping ban that heavily impacts lower-income commuters and small vehicle operators. The final reports from both departments are expected to be submitted in the coming weeks, after which the Delhi Cabinet will take a call on whether to move the Supreme Court. As Delhi continues to grapple with the dual pressures of deteriorating air quality and public resistance to stringent enforcement, the city's next legal step could set a precedent for how Indian metros balance climate goals with urban realities.
