With Delhi gearing up for the implementation of controversial odd-even formula from January, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday (11 December) asked the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government what its feasibility and if it has assessed its impact on curbing pollution.
A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar questioned the feasibility of the odd-even formula in light of media reports suggesting that women may be exempted or two-wheelers may not be covered.
The tribunal has ordered that diesel-run vehicles will not be registered in Delhi and there will be no renewal of registration of such vehicles which are more than 10-year-old.
"In view of serious contribution of vehicular pollution to air quality of NCT Delhi, it is important that the government should take a serious view and a decision whether any diesel vehicle, old or new, should be registered in Delhi.
"As an interim measure and subject to hearing all parties in the case, we direct that diesel vehicles which are more than 10-year old and new diesel vehicles would not be registered in Delhi," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.
The NGT's orders come close on the heels of the Supreme Court admitting a plea to ban diesel-run vehicles in the Capital. The apex court will hear the plea to ban diesel vehicles in the Capital on December 15.
Around 23 per cent of the cars registered in Delhi run on diesel, which emits 7.5 times more particulate matter than petrol cars.
On 10 December, Chief Justice of India TS Thakur called the pollution in Delhi ‘embarrassing’.The apex court has been very vocal regarding the rising pollution in one of the most polluted city in the world, Delhi.
It is also been reported that areas like Anand Vihar and Punjabi Bagh in the national capital have the worst air quality in the world.
Casting doubts over the Delhi government's ambitious plan, the panel said that that the odd-even formula for vehicles may "encourage" people to buy two cars.
BW Reporters
The author is Senior Correspondent with BW Businessworld
