: The National Green Tribunal on Friday sought to know what steps had been taken in all the States and Union Territories to prevent vehicular pollution.
A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notices to chief secretaries of all States and Union Territories directing them to submit the information on the density of vehicles.
It also asked them to take samples of ambient air quality and submit reports while also giving suggestions to combat the menace.
The Tribunal also took note of a submission that crematoriums are causing air pollution.
To an argument by the government counsel over the lack of space for creating multi-level parking in the Lajpat Nagar area, the NGT asked what was the need for a 100-bed hospital when the best of medical facilities are available in AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital in the same area.
The government submitted that there are plans to upgrade a 30-bed hospital near Lajpat Nagar to a 100-bed hospital.
“You do not understand that if you want to help the poor, you should give them clean air to breathe. Otherwise, no matter how many hospitals you set up, they will all fall short. By not checking air pollution, you are first creating diseases and then treating them,” remarked the Bench and sought a list of the number of patients admitted to hospital in the last three months and the time period for which they received treatment there.
On the subject of roadside parking, the Tribunal was unhappy that people continue to park their vehicles on the roadside and pulled up municipal corporations for laxity.
“The private contractors have two boys who make sure everybody parks on the roadside. Here, you spend so much money on building a parking lot but what are you generating in return,” the Bench said.
The tribunal wants to know what steps have been taken to curb vehicular pollution
