Rule mandating environment-friendly trucks for minerals stayed

The Bombay High Court's Nagpur Bench has issued notices to the Maharashtra Environment Minister, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Transport Commissioner, Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Union Ministry of Road Transport on a petition challenging mandatory eco-friendly trucks for minerals transportation.

The petitioner is Vidarbha Industries Association.

The division bench of Justices Sharad Bobade and Prasanna Vairale stayed MPCB's direction last week. The pollution control body had issued orders that 'mechanical type closed body trucks' alone should be used for transportation of minerals, as the dust from minerals pollutes the air when they are transported in open trucks.

 

The HC has sought replies from respondents in ten days.

The environment-friendly trucks were to be used from today. But according to the petitioner, MPCB does not have the legislative power to frame rules about construction of motor vehicles. That power rests with Ministry of Road Transport.

Advocate Tushar Mandlekar, for the petitioner, also argued that MPCB did not consult the mining and transport industry while issuing the directives.