NGT to consider SC order on diesel vehicle ban in Delhi before further directions

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday said it would first go through the order passed by the Supreme Court and then decide on the plea of car dealers seeking modification of its earlier order banning registration of new diesel vehicles in Delhi.

"The Supreme Court has passed certain directions. We would like to go through the direction and then decide accordingly. We would like to be governed by SC order," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said while posting the matter for next hearing on December 18.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court banned registration of diesel-run SUVs and cars having engine capacity beyond 2000 cc in Delhi and the larger National Capital Region till March 31, 2016 as it unveiled a slew of measures to curb the alarming rise in pollution levels in the city.

The green panel's observation came while hearing a plea by five Delhi based car dealers who had sought modification of a December 11 order by NGT, so that existing stocks of cars might be disposed of.

The petition seeking modification was filed by five car dealers - Koncept Automobiles (Lajpat Nagar), Koncept Cars India Pvt Ltd (Green Park), Ford-Rain Automotive India (Mathura Road), Hana Motor Plaza Pvt Ltd (Mathura Road) and Nath Motors Pvt Ltd (Mathura Road)- engaged in sale of vehicles of Mahindra & Mahindra, Hyundai, Honda and Ford.

Senior advocate Pinaki Misra, appearing for the dealers, had said the tribunal has passed a ‘harsh’ direction and it would have a ‘cascading’ effect.

He had asked the tribunal to modify the order so that the existing stocks of diesel cars be sold as this was the month for giving massive discounts and high sale was expected.