Dissatisfied with the action report filed by the Delhi government on Wednesday, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the government to submit a comprehensive plan, including details about exemptions to be made, in the event that the odd-even scheme is rolled out.
The counsel appearing for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government informed the Tribunal that various measures, including ban on entry of trucks and implementation of the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme will be undertaken by the government once pollution levels in the Capital touched ‘severe’ category.
Proposed exemptions
When the Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked the government whether implementation of the scheme will include exemptions which the government had proposed earlier, the counsel submitted the scheme will be rolled out in “accordance with the court’s orders”.
Giving the government 24 hours to submit a detailed action plan clearly stating the steps that will be taken in each category and providing enough clarity on exemptions to be made, the Bench said, “Will you exclude two-wheelers from the odd-even scheme? Your categorisations for the plan need to be variable...Further, who will be responsible for implementation of the steps?”
The Tribunal had on November 11 directed the Delhi government not to exempt two-wheelers and women drivers from the vehicle rationing scheme. However, the government filed a review petition before the NGT seeking modification of the order.
Observing that ambient air quality in Delhi hovered in the ‘poor’ category on regular days as well, the green panel warned the government on Wednesday, “Delhi’s air quality is never normal, what is your plan for this phase? What are the steps that you will implement during this phase to check pollution? Either be ready with the plan or your chief secretary will be called.”
Action plan
However, the counsel appearing for petitioner Vardhaman Kaushik, alleged in court that reports filed by Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh were not comprehensive as they did not include factors including capping of vehicles to tackle air pollution.
Meanwhile, the Tribunal pulled up Punjab for not filing its action plan with regard to tackling air pollution. It had earlier directed Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to submit detailed action plans.
