Noting that diesel is the prime source of air pollution in Delhi and NCR, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday ordered banning of all diesel vehicles older than ten years from plying on the roads of Delhi and NCR. The tribunal gave 20 hours to the Government and agencies concerned to ensure that all entry points to Delhi and NCR have units to check pollution levels, weight and age of all vehicles. local commissioners appointed by the tribunal will conduct surprise checks.
This is not the first order of its kind. The NGT had passed a similar order in November last year, banning all petrol vehicles older than 15 years. The Bench had also directed that wherever such vehicles were noticed, the authorities concerned should take appropriate steps in accordance with the law, including seizure of the vehicles.
Following the trend of banning diesel vehicles adopted in countries like Brazil, Denmark, China and Sri lanka, a Bench headed by NGT Chairman Justice Swatanter Kumar passed an order saying the situation is so alarming that people have been advised to leave Delhi due to adverse effects on health. The NGT’s direction came during hearing on a petition by Vardhaman Kaushik, who had contended that “the level of particulates in Delhi’s air was rising at an alarming rate.”
The tribunal has now sought from Delhi, Haryana and UP lists of diesel vehicles older than ten years and petrol ones older than 15 years, in Delhi. These two bans apply to both private and commercial vehicles. The NGT will hear the matter on April 10.
On paper, Delhi has more than 28 lakh vehicles that are older than 15 years and need to be off the roads. But, over the last three months, only 1,110 have been seized by the traffic police. There is no information on how many of the 28 lakh vehicles have been sold, scrapped or moved out of Delhi. Vehicular emission is one of the biggest contributors to air pollution in Delhi, which has the highest numbers of cars in India. On an average, the Capital adds 1,400 cars to its roads every day.
“A number of countries like Brazil, China, Denmark are in the process or have prohibited diesel vehicles or are in the process of doing away with them and imposing stringent taxes on such vehicles. We have already noticed that certain stringent measures need to be taken to ensure that residents of Delhi do not travel closer to ill-health with each breath they take. Thus, we direct that all diesel vehicles, heavy or light, which are older than ten years, will not be permitted on the roads of Delhi and NCR,” the Bench said. However, when asked, Delhi Chief Secretary KK Sharma said that the Government has not received an order from the tribunal in this regard.
The Bench also directed the Governments or authorities to regulate entry of vehicles at NCR borders. The NGT has also sought detailed report on completion of two major projects, Western Peripheral Expressway and Eastern Expressway, to decongest Delhi by the next hearing. It may be noted that Western Peripheral Expressway is only 30-35 per cent complete till date while the Eastern Expressway is still on paper.
“Due to the increasing air pollutants, residents of NCR Delhi are becoming more vulnerable to various diseases and the greatest sufferers are children. It has been pointed out that diesel is the prime source of rising air pollution in Delhi. Diesel fumes damage the lungs, brain and can even cause cancer. The situation is so alarming that people have even been medically advised to leave Delhi,” the Bench said.
Meanwhile, the Bench also passed strict orders against any illegal construction activity that emanated dust. The tribunal slammed authorities for not complying with its orders of November 26, 28 and December 4 last year, to improve the air quality standards of the Capital.
During the proceedings, Kaushik argued that the State authorities have not shown any effort to implement the orders of the NGT. “I have not seen any change happening. Plastic and other agricultural waste is being burnt in the open. The orders of the tribunal are being violated,” he said. The NGT has also stayed the construction of three building projects in Noida till further notice.