NEW DELHI, April 10 (UPI) -- Hundreds of thousands of New Delhi's commuters have been stranded after a court ordered more than 7,000 smoke-belching, diesel-run buses off the roads, but many in the capital are enjoying the city's improved air quality.
Pollution board officials said the respirable suspended particulate matter had dropped to its lowest level in four years to 144 microgram per cubic meter, less than half last week's readings, following the Supreme Court ruling April 5.
The court refused to extend the Jan. 31 deadline for switching diesel-run public transport buses to environment-friendly Compressed Natural Gas. It had ordered the fuel switch two years ago and had extended the deadline several times to allow authorities and owners of diesel-powered buses to comply with the ruling.
The court had said pollution in the Indian capital was worse than in the city of Bhopal during the gas tragedy there in the 1980s.
"Statistics show that the continuing air pollution in Delhi has a more devastating effect on the people than what was caused by the Bhopal gas tragedy," a three-judge bench comprising B.N. Kirpal, Justice V.N. Khare and Justice Ashok Bhan said.
Diesel-run buses and other public-transport vehicles were belching out 3,000 tones of smoke each day.
The court also slapped a $20-a-day fine on diesel buses that continued to ply on New Delhi's roads.
On Wednesday, the Delhi state government reopened schools closed for the past two days due to the shortage of buses. Thousands were seen waiting at bus stops all across the capital awaiting the packed CNG buses. Passengers traveled on footboards and even bus tops.
There are nearly 50,000 vehicles, including buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws that run on CNG. But bus operators say CNG is in short supply. The government's maintains, however, CNG supply is not a problem, but dispensation is.
It would take 1-1/2 years to build the infrastructure required for sufficient supply, Petroleum Minister Ram Naik said.
Despite the tough time getting to work, people have largely welcomed the court order.
"At least we can breathe air now," Shiv Prasad, a commuter waiting for a bus, said.
