New Delhi: In a significant interim measure to curb pollution, the National Green Tribunal on Friday ordered that diesel-run vehicles not be registered in Delhi and there be no renewal of registration of such vehicles that are more than 10 years old.
The tribunal also directed the state and Central governments to consider not buying any more diesel vehicles. The green panel also questioned the Delhi government’s “odd-even” formula for vehicles from January 1 to check pollution in the national capital, saying that it may not achieve the desired objective.
“As an interim measure and subject to hearing all parties in the case, we direct that diesel vehicles which are over 10 years old and new diesel vehicles would not be registered in Delhi,” it ordered.
NGT doubtful of odd-even plan
A National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench headed by its chairman, Justice Swatanter Kumar, said: “In view of the serious contribution of vehicular pollution to the air quality of NCT Delhi, it is important that the government should take a serious view and a decision whether any diesel vehicle, old or new, should be registered in Delhi. “As an interim measure and subject to hearing all parties in the case, we direct that diesel vehicles which are more than 10 years old and new diesel vehicles would not be registered in Delhi,” it ordered.
Casting doubts over the Delhi government’s ambitious “odd-even” formula, the green panel said that such a step may “encourage” people to buy two cars. The NGT had held on April 7 that all diesel vehicles more than 10 years old would not be permitted to ply in the Delhi-NCR region. Noting that diesel was the prime source of air pollution in Delhi, the green tribunal had said the situation was so alarming that people had even been advised to leave Delhi due to adverse effects on health. Earlier, the bench in November last year had banned all vehicles that are more than 15 years old, and held they would not be permitted to ply on the city’s roads.
On the contentious “odd-even” plan, the NGT directed the AAP government to take a clear stand and consider all other aspects that could help in reducing air pollution in the nation’s capital. The bench said it was undisputed that there were three prime sources of pollution in Delhi-NCR: burning of municipal solid waste and other waste, dust generated by construction and allied activities and vehicular pollution. It said: “We think that the authorities concerned must sit together and answer queries raised as well as in relation to the compliance of the directions already issued which in their considered opinion if implemented simultaneously with the odd and even car system proposed to be introduced would make it for more effective and result-oriented.”
The Delhi government counsel told the bench that as per the NGT’s directions a meeting was held with top officials of different departments, and it was concluded there was a high level of pollution in East Delhi’s Anand Vihar area due to various reasons. The counsel said: “We were also facing problems because of the location of Anand Vihar. There is a bus terminal in Kaushambi and buses are parked in a haphazard manner, leading to traffic congestion. There is also a petrol pump which falls under Delhi and the price difference leads to long queues... and massive traffic jams. There is a lot of dust due to Metro construction and lots of loose soil. The authorities were directed to sprinkle water and install Pollution Under Control machines to check vehicles.”
The counsel said places like hospitals, schools, religious places, malls, residential areas, etc are places that witness frequent congestion. He also sought directions from the bench on whether the fine imposed on vehicles challaned for causing pollution should be enhanced to Rs 5,000. “This may act as a deterrent for violators as the existing rules only allow a maximum fine of Rs 1,000 under the Motor Vehicles Act,” he said.
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