In an effort to reduce undue pressure on roads in the national capital, the National Green Tribunal today sought to know from Delhi Police how many heavy commercial vehicles entering via Panipat are destined to Delhi and other areas.
The green panel is deliberating on mechanism to devise an alternative route for commercial vehicles passing through the city to decongest the roads and reduce vehicular emissions.
The query came after advocate Pooja Kalra, appearing for the North and South Municipal Corporation, told a bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar that 4,852 goods transport vehicles entered Delhi via Panipat in August.
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Out of these, approximately 3,000 vehicles come to Delhi from Panipat while 1,500-2,000 vehicles add up at Kundli before reaching the capital, she said.
Noting these submissions, the green bench asked about the the number of vehicles which are destined to Delhi and other areas.
"Out of these 3,000 vehicles (approx) which enter Panipat, how many vehicles are en route to Delhi and other areas," the bench asked.
Responding to the query, Delhi Police said this information was not available with it as the entry points were monitored by the municipal corporation.
The tribunal expressed displeasure and said, "We don't think that is a proper answer as we had directed the check posts to be monitored by transport department, corporations and Delhi Police. You should have complete data. If we don't know how many vehicles are destined to Delhi, how can we pass orders. That will be quite unfair.
"See, there is difference between the executive decisions and judicial decisions. A judicial decision must be certain. It does not have ambiguity. It is the fundamental right of every citizen to move freely and go wherever he wants.
"If we pass an order directing vehicles to go on an alternate route then we have to be doubly conscious of our decision as we are restricting their movement. We cannot be correct to a decimal point. But we have to be sure in assessment of the alternate routes. It is not so easy for us as well," the bench said.
It also sought information on the total number of diesel vehicles entering Delhi besides goods transport vehicles.
"Pick up two hours sample, peak or non-peak hours, give us a data on Monday," the bench said.
