In addition to this, the court sought a response from all the states regarding identification of low vehicular density areas in each state where these vehicles (10-15 year old) could ply or be sold off.
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The government’s battle against vehicles older than 10 years – constituting one-fourth of the total population of registered vehicles in Delhi – has been a protracted one since the NGT, on November 26, 2014, banned the plying of all diesel or petrol vehicles older than 15 years.
NGT also directed DDA to provide land for parking of de-registered diesel vehicles.
Buildings generating high levels of dust in Delhi and the national capital region (NCR) today came under the scanner of the National Green Tribunal which said that construction sites above 20,000 square metres will be fined Rs 5 lakh for causing dust pollution and flouting environmental norms.
Regarding diesel vehicles which are 10-15 years old, the court held that the states’ transport department would be at liberty to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) to such vehicles. The tribunal has also directed the Delhi Government to improve public transport and add buses to its fleet.
With regard to pollution from other sources like dust pollution, emissions from burning of plastic and other waste materials, the bench had directed Central Pollution Control Board and Delhi government to file status report on the issue. “Vehicles which have national permit but covered under the directions of NGT will not enter Delhi, However can bypass Delhi”, the NGT said.
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NGT cracks down on polluting vehicle. This immediate ban, however, is likely to bring respite for some brands as a significant chunk of 10 year old-plus vehicles will be taken off the roads in the capital city only to be replaced by brand new cars. The exhaust can cause cancer and worsen existing allergies and conditions like asthma and irritation in the nose and lung tissue.
