Gurgaon Issues Guidelines To Phase Out Diesel Auto-Rickshaws
In a bid to comply with the Commission for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) directive, Gurugram has set a deadline to phase out all diesel auto-rickshaws by December 31, 2024. Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar issued the necessary guidelines on Saturday to implement the transition in the city, which is part of the broader NCR region’s push to improve air quality.
During a meeting with local officials, Kumar emphasized Gurugram’s image as a “Millennium City” and stressed the importance of collective efforts to present a cleaner, greener image to visitors and residents alike. The phase-out of diesel auto-rickshaws is part of a larger effort under the CAQM’s November 30, 2022, order, which set specific deadlines for different parts of the NCR region. Gurugram, along with Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar, was given the deadline of December 31, 2024.
The Deputy Commissioner directed officials, including Sub-Divisional Officers, the Secretary of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), and the Police Department, to ensure action is taken against diesel-powered auto-rickshaws operating within the city. Additionally, he instructed the police to take strict action against auto-rickshaw drivers who overload their vehicles and to immediately impound any auto-rickshaws operating without a registered number or being driven by minors.
This move is part of a broader effort to address air pollution in the NCR region, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations aimed at improving air quality and making the region more sustainable for its residents and visitors.
