Delhi HC notice on plea to enforce pollution control rules

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice to the central government and Delhi lt. governor on a plea seeking direction to enforce pollution control rules which prescribes punishment for driving a polluting vehicle.

A division bench of Chief Justice G.Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath sought response from central government and the lt.governor by March 30 on the plea filed by NGO, Campaign for People Participation in Development Planning.

Its petition said the rise in vehicle-generated air pollution was due to non-enforcement and non-implementation of the pollution control rules, and that it was not feasible to cut the number of vehicles on road instead of enforcing the rules. It sought direction for government to prevent polluting vehicles from being driven on the roads.

"Continued failure of the respondents in enforcing section 190 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, vehicle generated air pollution level has gravely risen in past years, endangering health and life of the people of the capital," said the plea, filed through advocate Anil Aggarwal.

"Instead of checking vehicles and stopping the offending vehicle from being driven on the road, the respondents, who are guilty of dereliction of duty on their part to enforce and implement section 190, maliciously misdirected themselves to cut the number of vehicles on road by prohibiting even and odd-numbered vehicles from being driven on alternate days, in manner a nd terms contrary to the very object and purpose of the Act."

It added that pollution tests carried out at the checking centres were a sham and pollution under control (PUC) certificates were being "casually issued" with the knowledge of the government and its agencies.

The plea also sought carrying out of surprise inspections of pollution control centres to ensure PUC certificates were being issued after carrying out all prescribed tests.

The odd-even traffic scheme aimed at curbing pollution will be back in Delhi from April 15 to 30, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced here on Thursday.