Responding to the National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s directions to submit suggestions on curbing air pollution in the Capital, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) told the tribunal that its role regarding curbing of vehicular emissions is “limited” and confined to framing of air quality standards under the mandate of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The Ministry added that in the current context, it is the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways which is administering the Motor Vehicles Act and the rules framed for vehicular emission standards under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.
The submissions came in an affidavit filed by MoEF Special Secretary Shashi Shekhar in pursuance to Tribunal’s directions to submit suggestions to curb air pollution in the Capital.
The affidavit further stated that the Ministry has consulted the State Governments of National Capital Region (NCR) viz Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan on April 6 and 13 under the chairmanship of Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and has prepared an action plan. The said plan proposes that the vehicles without pollution under control (PUC) certificate be challaned, lane disciplined be maintained, congestion due to breakdown of vehicles on the roads be minimised, U-turn facility shall be provided at the entry gate of inter-state border and congestion due to water logging be curbed.
The Ministry has further said that coal-based industrial units (18 units) would be converted into environment friendly fuel (CNG/lPG)-based units, monitoring conditions stipulated in environmental clearance for construction and demolition activities and ensure compliance for pollution control, installation of ambient air quality monitoring stations and an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system to detect the movement of the non destined vehicles shall be provided.
The tribunal on May 1 extended till May 18 a stay on its order banning plying of diesel vehicles which are over 10 years old in Delhi-NCR, bringing relief to public utility services and private owners.
It also directed Delhi Government, Petroleum Ministry, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ministry of Urban Development and other public authorities to submit their suggestions on methods to reduce vehicular pollution within two weeks.