New Delhi: Keeping in mind the dipping air quality and rising pollution levels in the capital, the green court questioned the need of diesel buses in the capital from the neighbouring states.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench headed by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana to take clear decision on switching to CNG vehicles and to buy buses with additional fuel cylinders to resolve the issue of providing sufficient fuel in these buses.
“It is contended before us that ambient air quality is much poorer compared to the prescribed standards and there is serious environmental and public health issues arising from pollution. It is so more particularly in the areas of Anand Vihar, Patparganj and Sahibabad.
“The Counsel appearing for Uttarakhand, UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and HP to take clear instructions from their governments as to why they should not be directed to stop operating diesel buses destined to Delhi or passing via Delhi and instead operate CNG buses…,” the bench said.
The NGT also directed Delhi Pollution Control Committee and UP Pollution Control Board to provide complete details in regard to the air pollution resulting from the industries in Patparganj, Sahibabad, and Anand Vihar within a week.
It asked them to find out what pollutants are discharged by industrial units in these areas and the steps that are required to be taken by them. The matter was listed for next hearing on December 23.
In October, the green panel had rapped the states for not being clear on their policy for CNG vehicles and warned them of halting state transport if they did not introduce CNG.
