Scientists predict that the temperature increase, referred to as global warming, will affect world food supply, alter sea level, make weather more extreme, and increase the spread of tropical disease. Among the harmful chemical compounds this burning puts into the atmosphere are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and tiny solid particles including lead from gasoline additives called particulates. Between 1900 and 1970, motor vehicle use rapidly expanded, and emissions of nitrogen oxides, some of the most damaging pollutants in vehicle exhaust, increased 690 percent. With the number of vehicles, especially two wheelers increasing at an unprecedented rate, vehicular pollution has become a major contributor to deteriorating air quality in cities. In just seven years, the number of vehicles in India has shot up by 17 million and 48 per cent of these vehicles are in the three metros alone.
Pollution kills one person every hour in the capital.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences reports that there was a massive 900 per cent increase in asthma cases in December 1999 compared to December 1998. In order to improve the air quality and reduce vehicular pollution of Delhi, Supreme Court passed an order on 28 th July 1998. Financials incentives for replacement of all post 1990 autos and taxis with new vehicles on clean fuel by 31.03.2000. No 8 year old buses to ply except on CNG or other clean fuels by 01.04.2000. Gail to expedite and expand from 9 to 80 CNG supply outlets by 31st march, 2000.