The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday took exception to the Centre’s delay in filing reply on a plea alleging that cement companies were violating its orders on overloading of trucks and causing air pollution.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar had earlier issued notice to the Centre and 13 cement companies making it clear that no further time will be granted to them for filing their response. The next hearing has been scheduled for May 10.
The directives of NGT came in the wake of hearing a petition alleging that cement makers were violating its order by overloading trucks with cement and clinker to save on toll tax.
Despite having their own private independent siding (low-speed track section) for dispatch of cement through railways, the cement manufacturers have been transporting it by road, the plea claimed. The plea further claimed some cement companies were overloading trucks by as much as 200-250 per cent.
The petition further argued that heavy vehicular pollution is caused in and around the capital primarily by such overloaded diesel trucks which are primarily used for transportation of cement and clinkers. That it is within the knowledge of this Tribunal that an estimated 80,000 trucks enter Delhi every night from 8 pm to 6 am.
“There is a clear lack of will, to comply with the provisions of MV Act and other applicable laws,” contended the petition.