The Tribunal also asked the transport department of Delhi government and traffic police to issue public notices on its order.
In a significant order, the chairperson bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday has directed the Delhi government to deregister diesel vehicles older than 10 years. The NGT had first passed the order in April 2015 to ban vehicles more than 10 years old but the order was challenged in Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had then dismissed the petition challenging NGT's order.
NGT chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar said old diesel vehicles are an undisputed source of air pollution. Kumar went on to add that even during enforcement of the odd-even scheme in Delhi, the air quality did not improve but in fact its parameters were excessive. "It is an accepted fact all over India that diesel vehicle emissions are more injurious than petrol or other vehicles run on CNG," the bench said.
The five-member bench added that the absence of any substantial decrease in air pollution during odd-even scheme indicated that old diesel vehicles contributed majorly. The bench observed that challans and other efforts to stop plying of old diesel vehicles have not been successful. Thus, it asked the transport department of Delhi to deregister diesel vehicles older than 10 years and directed traffic police to take appropriate steps based on the list of old vehicles.
The Tribunal also asked the transport department of Delhi government and traffic police to issue public notices on its order.
In addition, Central Pollution Control Board and Delhi Pollution Control Committee have been directed to file a compliance report on steps taken to curb open burning of waste and dust pollution.
In the same matter, the bench also asked the Centre, represented by Ministry of Heavy Industries, to submit a report on the availability of hybrid and electric cars and the incentives provided to citizens for buying them. In addition, the ministry has been asked plans to increase production of hybrid and electric cars. The ministry of heavy industries has in an application said that only 15 year old vehicles should be banned as the 10 year old cars.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "cars")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}