LEZ plan moots pollution fee for pre-2011 vehicles

Authorities plan to treat the first phase as a pilot, assessing its impact on traffic behaviour and air quality before expanding the scheme.

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Transport experts working with local authorities have proposed a phased roadmap to implement a low-emission zone (LEZ) starting with Shivajinagar and parts of the Peth areas, suggesting that vehicles with older high-polluting engines be charged a daily fee to enter the city’s core area.They said the first phase will focus on vehicles with BS III and older engine technology, mostly registered before 2011, which contribute significantly to transport-related pollution. Instead of an outright ban, the proposal recommends imposing a daily pollution or LEZ charge, allowing them to use the zone when necessary.The roadmap to curb vehicle emissions was discussed at a recent meeting at the collectorate. It was attended by collector Jitendra Dudi, municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, PMC chief engineer Aniruddha Pawaskar, officials from Regional Transport Office, traffic police officers and transport planners.A task force comprising Pune Municipal Corporation, district administration, RTO, traffic police, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and transport experts has been formed to prepare a detailed implementation plan and oversee its execution.

Parin Visariya, programme manager at Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, which is working on the plan, said vehicles with BS III and below engine technologies, registered before 2011, will be initially targeted.

“Two-wheelers, private cars and goods vehicles together contribute to around 90% of PM2.5 emissions from transport. These vehicles will not be banned but they will pay an LEZ or pollution charge per day if they enter the zone,” he said.

Visariya said beginning with a pricing mechanism rather than a ban would make the transition easier for citizens. “People can continue using their vehicles occasionally or in emergencies rather than forcing them to buy cleaner vehicles,” he added.

In the first phase, restrictions will mainly apply to two-wheelers, private cars and goods vehicles, while other segments such as autorickshaws, buses, taxis and utility vehicles will remain exempt.Experts involved in the planning said enforcement of rules in the zone will be carried out through automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras which will track vehicles entering the designated area and identify those liable to pay the charge.The LEZ is proposed to be implemented under provisions of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, with support from the pollution control board and the state government.

Officials said the LEZ could be rolled out within the next two to three months once detailed planning is completed. Experts said the concept plan has already been prepared, and the next stage will involve identifying the exact boundaries of the zone, installing signages and deploying enforcement cameras. The initiative, they said, is not aimed at generating revenue but at discouraging the use of highly polluting vehicles.

“Any revenue generated will be reinvested in sustainable mobility initiatives such as improving walking infrastructure, strengthening public transport and supporting incentives for cleaner vehicles,” Visariya said.

Urban mobility advocates said the initiative could address rising pollution levels in the city’s congested core areas. Ranjit Gadgil, programme director at Parisar who was part of the discussions, said Pune’s Development Plan also proposes pedestrianisation of the core city which could complement the LEZ initiative.

“Demotorisation of the core city will help reduce congestion, lower the heat island effect and make shopping and living in these areas healthier and more pleasant,” he added.

Gadgil said Parisar can help with public outreach and awareness campaigns before the scheme is implemented so that people understand the purpose and the available alternatives.

Authorities plan to treat the first phase as a pilot, assessing its impact on traffic behaviour and air quality before expanding the scheme. “The second phase may be introduced after about a year, but it is under deliberation. The priority now is to test the LEZ in phase one, measure the impact and then scale it,” Visariya said.