NGT bans diesel vehicles over 10 years old in Delhi
NEW DELHI: In an order that could improve Delhi’s deteriorating air quality if implemented effectively, the National Green Tribunal on Tuesday prohibited diesel vehicles that are over 10 years old from plying in the capital. A five-member bench, headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar, said that while such vehicles would be phased out in Delhi, those coming from other states would not be allowed to enter the city.
The order follows a similar one passed by NGT in November last year that had banned all vehicles over 15 years old from plying in Delhi. For various reasons, the government failed to implement that order. Sources said the higher emissions by diesel vehicles compared to petrol ones and the lax quality and emission standards prompted the bench to take a stern view. The order comes into effect immediately though enforcement may take a while to start.
Reacting to the order, Delhi environment minister Asim Ahmed Khan asked the Centre to impose a “hefty fine” on vehicles that are 15 years old or more.
The bench also directed the government and various agencies concerned to ensure that inter-state vehicles that flouted pollution norms or were diesel vehicles older than 10 years were not allowed into Delhi. For this, a 20-hour deadline was given for installing weighbridges and setting up pollution-under-control centres and also for devising a mechanism to determine the age of the vehicle. The court has appointed local commissioners to inspect the entry points and present a report to the court on April 10, the next date of hearing.
The order is expected to impact 1,18,773 private vehicles and 34,659 commercial vehicles in the city. Besides, more than 5 lakh vehicles enter Delhi every day of which around 50,000-75,000 are trucks and about 2,500 are state transport buses. All these run on diesel and are likely to run into trouble.
However, implementation of the order is easier said than done. While environmentalists welcomed the move, the government may find it difficult to meet the 20-hour deadline. Sources said the bench has also asked various agencies to submit a report on the action taken by them.
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Source:Timesofindia
