Barely a week after the National Green Tribunal's direction that vintage cars would not allowed on the city roads, the green panel today agreed to make an exception and allowed a vintage car rally.
A bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, gave its nod to "ITC Grand Bharat Inaugural vintage car rally" to be held on March 1, on a plea by Heritage Motoring Club Of India (HMCI).
HMCI has approached the Tribunal challenging November 26, 2014 order in which the green bench had held that all vehicles which were more than 15 years old would not be permitted to ply on the city roads.
HMCI, in its plea, has sought modification to the extent that vintage vehicles which are more than 30 years old be allowed to use the city roads for purposes of exhibition, rallies, etc.
"In the meanwhile, by an interim direction, we permit one-time event of the vintage car ITC rally to be held on March 1, 2015," the bench said adding "we make it clear that none of the vintage cars would be otherwise permitted to ply on the road except on the sports event nor any authority would issue fitness certificates to them without specific order of the Tribunal."
The Tribunal would take up the matter of vintage car for hearing on March 5.
The Tribunal had on February 19 allowed "21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally" and made it clear that this permission was only for vintage car rally and after this no vintage car would be permitted to ply on the roads.
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.
