The National Green Tribunal on Friday extended a stay on its order banning plying of diesel vehicles older than 10 years in Delhi and NCR till May 18, bringing relief to private owners and public utilities like ambulances and fire brigades.
A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar extended the stay after the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) appealed to the Tribunal to grant more time to file Centre’s suggestions of ways to bring down vehicular pollution.
“The Ministry will hold meeting of concerned Ministries and public authorities in order to find out a solution to the problem of air pollution. We have no objections. Meanwhile, stay to continue,” the bench said, while posting the matter for hearing on May 18.
The Tribunal also directed the Delhi Government, Petroleum Ministry, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ministry of Urban Development and other public authorities to submit their suggestions within two weeks.
On April 13, the Tribunal had stayed for two weeks its order to impound 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles plying in the city.
It had also asked the Delhi Government to submit suggestions on providing incentives to those transferring or scrapping old, polluting diesel vehicles and on fixing a cap on the number of vehicles to be registered in the national Capital.
The Green Bench had also sought rationalisation of parking charges to encourage people to use parking facilities so that they do not park on roads.
The Green Panel had earlier issued notices to chief secretaries of all States and Union Territories seeking status report on prevention of air pollution with regard to vehicular traffic.
Noting that diesel is the prime source of air pollution in Delhi, the Tribunal on April 7 had held that all diesel vehicles, which are more than 10 years old will not be permitted to ply in Delhi-NCR.
On November 26, 2014, it had banned plying of all diesel or petrol vehicles which were more than 15 years old.