Delhi pollution: SC notice to Centre on closure of NTPC plant

Continuing with its pro-active approach to cleanse the polluted air of Delhi, the Supreme Court today sought responses of the Centre and the NTPC on a plea seeking closure of the coal-based power plant catering to needs of the national capital.
The apex court, reviewing the actions taken in pursuance of its various directions on pollution, agreed to the suggestion of amicus curiae Harish Salve that even the Delhi government favoured closure of NTPC's coal-based power plant near the Yamuna river and the plea needed to be examined.
"Issue notice. Returnable in three weeks," a bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice R Banumathi said and asked Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar to take instruction from the Centre on phasing out old diesel vehicles being used by the government and its authorities.

The law officer said at present, government vehicles which are either 8-year old or have run over 1.5 lakh kms, were being phased out.
Kumar, who said he would write to the NTPC about today's proceedings, mentioned the possibility of power shortage in Delhi in the event of the plant's closure and said the PSU should think of opting for less-polluting fuel.
The Delhi government informed the court that it has decided to get rid of its old diesel-run vehicles.

The bench, meanwhile, also agreed to examine the plea of the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) that the December 16 order, barring registration of diesel-run SUVs and high-end private cars with engine capacity of 2000 CC in Delhi, be modified to enable it to purchase heavy diesel vehicles for its VIP protectees.

"Can't you find petrol vehicles," the bench asked.
Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, arguing for the SPG, said the armoured vehicles needed for SPG protectees did not have a petrol-variant.
The bench then asked Salve to examine the plea and file his response to it.
The court, which has banned entry of commercial vehicles into Delhi unless their destination from several entry points, asked Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to file reports indicating compliance of its directions.