The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday extended the stay on its order banning 10-year-old diesel vehicles in Delhi-NCR till July 13.
“The Centre and the Delhi government will file their replies within three weeks on why the NGT should not pass an appropriate order for non-compliance of its order. All interim orders will continue,” a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.
The bench asked the Central Pollution Control Board to file additional data in support of its report regarding pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The green panel had on May 18 pulled up the Centre for seeking a stay of its ban order on the ground that a research published by IIT Delhi. The study had stated that vehicles that were older than 10 years contributed only “negligibly” to air pollution.
The tribunal had said the study only referred to private vehicles but didn’t say anything on pollution caused by commercial vehicles, including trucks.
The green body had also directed the Union ministry of road transport to submit its views on capping the total number of vehicles, scrapping old vehicles, car pooling and incentives to those who want to dispose their old vehicles.
Traders plea for loading curfew relief
Challenging the green court’s order that loading and unloading of goods in all markets, particularly those like Karol Bagh and Chandni Chowk, should not be allowed from 10am to 7pm. The Confederation of All India Traders on Monday filed an application demanding the order be modified.
“How can we carry our business activities if loading/unloading activities can only start at 9 in the night? It is not practically possible. Security issues are there. If this order continues, Delhi traders will be finished,” said Praveen Khandelwal, the secretary general of Confederation of All India Traders.
“We want order to be modified. Our businesses are getting hampered. Let’s see what the court says on May 28,” he said.
