NGT raps Delhi govt, Centre over air pollution menace

Asking all relevant authorities to take note of the severe pollution levels in Delhi, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) again asked the governments, central and city, to strictly enforce an earlier direction stopping 10-year-old diesel vehicles from plying on the roads of the national capital.

The court’s directions follow a widespread spike in air pollution across the city, with emergence of heavy smog in residential and industrial areas after Diwali.

On July 28, the tribunal had directed the transport department of the city government to deregister diesel vehicles more than 10 years old. It had later held that the process of deregistration would begin with scrapping of 15-year-old diesel vehicles. The Supreme Court in December 2015 banned the registration of diesel vehicles with engine capacity more than 2,000cc and made it mandatory for all diesel taxis in Delhi to convert to compressed natural gas. However, Pinky Anand, additional solicitor general, appearing on behalf of the ministry of heavy industry, told the bench that diesel vehicles were not the major contributors to atmospheric pollution.

The ministry had earlier contended that no provision of the Motor Vehicles Act allowed de-registration of vehicles, as directed by the court. Anand added that no coercive steps should be taken against diesel vehicles until the matter was heard in its entirety.

NGT head Swatanter Kumar, though, refused to pass any new orders and instead posted the matter for next Tuesday. He also issued notices to the secretaries of environment and urban development from the states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to be present.

This was after the Delhi government had pointed to the burning of crops and agricultural residues in the neighbuoring states, as the main reason for rise in air pollution. Counsel for the government referred to NASA images to corroborate

However, the Delhi government was pulled up for not responding to the current pollution in a satisfying manner. "For you (authorities), the people of Delhi do not matter but for us, they matter. We will do whatever we can," Kumar said, adding "just look at what we are giving to our children for the future. This is terrible".

Counsel for the Delhi government said two meetings were convened on Thursday to discuss the issue and the minutes and status reports on the decisions would be filed before the next date of hearing.

Referring to the diesel vehicle ban, it said that such vehicles were being booked but lack of space for parking was hampering the drive.

The NGT also asked the authorities to look into three other aspects of air pollution, emanating out of dust, burning of plastic waste and uncovered construction material in the open.