The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a complete ban on parking of cars on roads in the national Capital and directed that any violation would attract a fine of Rs1,000. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar restricted individuals from parking vehicles on the metalled roads and directed the Delhi Traffic Police (DTP), SHOs and the municipalities concerned to ensure total compliance of the directions.
During the hearing, a report on ambient air quality in NCR Delhi was filed which stated that except for sulphur dioxide, all other prescribed parameters were found to be much in excess to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). “From the above data, it is clear that ambient air quality in Delhi NCR is highly polluted. Obviously, it is dangerous to human health and environment.
“There will be complete prohibition of parking of any cars on the metalled roads and the corporation would take strict action against the people who violate it. This shall include payment of Rs1,000 per car on account of compensation for degradation of environment and its restoration,” the bench said. The matter has been listed for further consideration on February 25. It also directed the Municipal Corporation to submit a complete and comprehensive report in regard to the major markets of lajpat Nagar and Karol Bagh, which have been taken as pilot projects.
The tribunal also directed the Municipal Corporation, DDA and NCT of Delhi to hold a meeting before the next date of hearing and identify the places where multi-level parkings could be constructed and where parking can be permitted in lajpat Nagar. During the hearing, counsel for the municipal corporation advocate Balendu Shekhar and the Delhi Traffic Police said the order would cause inconvenience to people as all bylanes and arterial roads where parking was done are metalled. The green bench issued notice to the CMD of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to be present before the tribunal and submit the compliance report to earlier direction.
“let the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) submit a complete and comprehensive report in that behalf to enable Traffic Police to ensure that no overloaded trucks are permitted to ply in the NCR Delhi... let the committee constituted under the Order of the Tribunal submit a comprehensive report in relation to the establishment and construction of checkposts of instant vehicular pollution at those places,” the bench said.
The tribunal’s observation came while hearing a petition of Vardhaman Kaushik who had contended that “the level of particulates in Delhi is rising manifold and the reasons for which should be identified and curbed”.