The Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association recently moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) voicing its anguish over the increasing levels of pollution in Delhi due to trucks passing through the city despite a 2001 Supreme Court order banning those.
The association of women lawyers practising in the Supreme Court and other courts of Delhi said daily 80,000 trucks enter the Capital adding to 65 per cent of particulate matter in the air, instead of taking various alternative routes. This, it said, should be immediately stopped.
Senior advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani, representing the association, said the Supreme Court had in 2001 in the case, M.C. Mehta versus Union of India, categorically stated, “It appears that vehicles which transit through Delhi do not adhere to the vehicular standards which are applicable in Delhi, namely, they are not Euro-II Compliant nor are they using low sulphur and low benzene fuel. There is no reason why a very large number of goods vehicles should transit through Delhi thereby adding to the pollution level and the traffic.”
“It is, therefore, proposed that with effect from January 15, 2002, no heavy, medium or light goods vehicles will ply on inter-State routes by passing through Delhi or New Delhi. It is only those goods vehicles which on payment of octroi/toll tax can carry goods to or from Delhi. The Commissioner of Police is directed to formulate a scheme in this regard and give due publicity to all concerned and implement it,” the Supreme Court had said.
Ms. Pavani told the Bench that the trucks were violating the orders of the apex court every day.
She also submitted that these trucks use diesel mixed with kerosene, which is all the more harmful.
The association also suggested alternative routes for commercial vehicles destined for Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The Bench heard the petition and issued notices to the Centre, Delhi government, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and the National Highways Authority of India.
