NEW DELHI: The number of new vehicles registered in the national capital declined by 11 per cent as compared to last financial year, a government data showed. The number has been reduced to 7.8 lakh in 2016-17 from 8.77 lakh recorded during corresponding last year. Besides, the diesel consumption has reduced by 16 per cent, the data showed. Diesel consumption reduced from 15.08 lakh metric tonnes (MT) in 2015-16 to 12.67 lakh MT in 2016-17. However, petrol consumption saw a slight increase from 9.02 lakh MT to 9.06 lakh MT.

Meanwhile, considering the recent pollution levels in Delhi, this dip has been highlighted as an achievement by the Delhi government. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday congratulated Delhi for the reduction in the usage of diesel in 2017. "I congratulate Delhi for the reduction in consumption of diesel during the current year (2017) in comparison to previous years — an indication of growing awareness towards curbing air pollution."

However, contradicting Sisodia's statement, former Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) member B Sengupta credited NGT's ban on 15-year-old diesel vehicles behind the dip. He said this doesn't reflect a larger systemic change. As per data, almost 7.78 lakh new vehicles were registered till March 2017, upping the total to 1.05 crore. Out of this, 31.53 lakh were four-wheelers and 67.08 lakh were two-wheelers. Last year, the number of new vehicles registered in Delhi had taken a huge leap of 64 per cent. In addition, dip in the car sales was also recorded. "It is for the first time that there has been a dip in the registration of new vehicles. However, this year coincides with demonetisation, and sales have picked up again," an official of Transport department said.