The bench said: “The said direction appears to have been understood to mean as though vehicles not bound for Delhi could also enter Delhi provided they pay ECC”.
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In the letter, Shankar states that while the company empathises with the rising concerns of pollution in Delhi, the Supreme Court must take a holistic view of the situation and look at the overall impact of the decision, once the duration of the court order ends on March 31, 2016.
Speaking to newswire, Reuters, Mercedes-Benz India said the Supreme Court ruling would “severely impact” growth and its investment in India.
The court explained its decision by saying that the rich can’t buy luxury diesel powered cars and SUVs and pollute the air because the rest of the population’s health is being influenced by this.
Moreover, the Delhi government also proposed important measures which include vaccum cleaning of streets, odd-even formula, shut coal-based power plants, late night entry of heavy-loading vehicles, fix unpaved footpaths and many among others. Those carrying goods for Delhi will have to shell out a steep environment compensation charge (ECC) – Rs 2,600 for big trucks and Rs 1,400 for light commercial vehicles, which is double the ECC earlier specified by the court.
Chief Justice of India T S Thakur, who passed a detailed order with other bench colleagues stated “It is noteworthy that diesel vehicles of 2000 cc and above and SUVs are generally used by more affluent sections of our society and because of the higher engine capacity are more prone to cause higher levels of pollution”.
The bench therefore ordered that no vehicle that is not bound for Delhi will be allowed to enter from NH-8, that links Jaipur to Delhi, and NH-1, linking Punjab, Haryana and other northern states to Delhi via the Kundli border.
Oct 12: SC, on trial basis, imposes ECC, ranging from Rs 700 to Rs 1300, on commercial vehicles entering Delhi. In addition, all taxis in the area, including private ride-hailing services such as Uber, have to switch to compressed natural gas by March 31.
Also, it ordered that NGT guidelines to be followed at construction sites be strictly enforced.
The court yesterday also asked the counsel representing the Centre and the Delhi government to come out with comprehensive long- and short-term plans to curb air pollution.
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The bench was hearing various pleas including the 1984 PIL filed by environmentalist M C Mehta.
