The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Saturday directed the Delhi government to implement the odd-even car rationing scheme in accordance with ‘strict conditions.’ It said there would be “no exemption to any person, officer or individual, including two-wheelers, from the scheme.”
A Bench, headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar, said the orders have to be complied with strict rigour and was applicable to all vehicles. However, vehicles used for emergency services such as ambulances and fire brigades have been exempted from the scheme, which would would be complussory whenever the PM (particulate matter) 10 and 2.5 levels cross the 500 and 300 mark respectively.
“It shall be mandatory for NCT Delhi to implement the odd-even scheme under such conditions and will not be optional for any officer of the government to not comply” said the Bench.
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Sprinkling of water
Following submissions by scientists from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on the reduction of pollutants after rain, the tribunal said, “Sprinkling of water shall be implemented without default in future and the coming week, if it does not rain in the next two days.”
The tribunal directed the Delhi government to reconsider its decision to increase the parking rates. “Creating undue burden on the common man is no solution to an environmental issue,” it said.
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The NGT constituted a committee comprising the director, CPCB; transport commissioner; special secretary, environment; and a scientist from the DPCC to collect data on the ambient air quality during peak hours for the next 10 days. The committee will be in charge of collecting samples and analysing the same before submitting it to the tribunal.