NGT flays DTC over report on inspection of buses

Delhi Transport Corporation has come under fire from National Green Tribunal after it failed to submit a compliance report on inspection of its buses by a team constituted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
"Give us one bus that has been inspected pursuant to our directions. Provide us at least one report complying with our order. Who checks these bus? If the bumper of a DTC bus is loose, it remains so for months.
"Let us not deceive ourselves. Even CNG emissions have to be within permissible limits," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The Tribunal's observation came while hearing a petition of Vardhaman Kaushik, who had contended that "the level of particulates in Delhi is rising manifold and the reasons for which should be identified and curbed".
The Tribunal had directed that all the DTC buses, even if operating on CNG, would be checked by the team constituted by the CPCB and DPCC.
"Whichever bus is found to be emitting in excess of prescribed standards, the same shall not be permitted to ply and the Managing Director, DTC shall be personally responsible for ensuring compliance to the prescribed emission standards by all the DTC vehicles," the Tribunal had said in November 26, 2014 order.

Advocate Avnish Ahlawat, appearing for DTC, told the Tribunal that inspection was carried out and all its buses are were to be in fit condition.

However, the bench remained unsatisfied and the DTC counsel to submit a report as per its earlier directions.
Earlier, in a report submitted by the Joint Commissioner of Transport had stated that 186 DTC buses were found without valid pollution under control certificate on December 28, 2014.
The Tribunal had on November 26, 2014 banned all vehicles older than 15 years from plying in the national capital and directed that wherever such vehicles of this age are noticed, the authorities concerned shall take appropriate steps in accordance with law including seizure of the vehicles.