NGT seeks ambient air quality data ahead of odd-even scheme

With the odd-even scheme set to return in the national capital from April 15, the National Green Tribunal today set up a committee of officials and asked it to collect samples of ambient air quality from different locations in the city.
The green panel constituted the committee comprising officials from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Shriram Laboratory to collect samples for a duration of one week.
"CPCB, DPCC, Shriram Laboratory, Ministry of Environment and Forests to prepare a complete and comprehensive report on ambient air quality in at least 10 different sites in NCT Delhi for a period of one week. The samples shall be collected during peak and non-peak hours," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

Expanding the scope of the ongoing case on air pollution, the NGT had directed state pollution control boards in consultation with CPCB to take ambient air quality samples and submit an analysis report of the data, including the contribution of various sources of pollution.
Noting that the Supreme Court was already hearing a case related to air pollution in the capital, the green panel said it would restrict its orders to "places other than Delhi".
On December 18, the tribunal had refused to vacate its order banning registration of new diesel-run vehicles, saying it would not interfere with the apec court order which has taken a similar stand.

In contrast to a previous NGT order banning registration of all diesel vehicles, Supreme Court on December 16 exempted the smaller ones and specified that diesel-run SUVs and cars having engine capacity beyond 2000 cc would not be registered in Delhi and National Capital Region till March 31.
The apex court has now extended the bar on registration of diesel-run SUVs and high-end cars in the National Capital Region till April 30.