Welcoming the National Green Tribunal’s verdict of not permitting ‘ageing’ gas guzzling clunkers which are more than 15 years old to ply on city roads, a research and advocacy group on Thursday said the green bench should also assess the effectiveness in meeting clean air targets and increase higher degree of stringency.
Terming it as “a step forward in right direction”, the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said the ambit of the action plan should also be expanded to the entire national capital region (NCR) for effective impact.Dismayed at increasing air pollution in the national Capital, the National Green Tribunal had on Wednesday held that all vehicles which were more than 15 years old would not be permitted to ply on city roads.
It further said that no person shall be permitted to burn plastic or any other material in the open.“While this is a step forward in right direction, a periodic assessment of the effectiveness of the action plan is needed to ensure peak pollution levels during winter are brought down and the clean air target is met. That may require additional and more stringent measures. The ambit of the action plan should also be expanded to the entire national capital region (NCR) of Delhi for effective impact,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE.