NGT refuses to modify order on 10-year-old vehicles

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday declined to modify its order banning plying of diesel vehicles which are over 10 years old in Delhi-NCR. The green panel, however, said it was for the Delhi government and concerned authorities to decide on the issue of challaning such vehicles or not.

"Additional Solicitor General has made a prayer for variation of our earlier order and submits that in the public interest, at least the state may not be held responsible for challaning of the diesel vehicles during the pendency of the application filed by Union of India in that behalf. We decline to vary our earlier order. However, till disposal of the application which is pending, it is for the state to challan diesel vehicle or not so as to prevent complete nonsupply of essential articles to the city of Delhi, as according to her there is imminent threat in that behalf, "a bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The tribunal, which took up the matter on mentioning, said the ban on 10-years-old vehicles has been upheld by the Supreme Court and the tribunal cannot go against the Apex court's decision.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Pinky Anand, appearing for Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, told the bench that various truck operators were mulling strike and protesting against the governments of Delhi, Haryana and UP for not issuing fitness certificates to diesel vehicles more than 10 years-old. Seeking modification of the ban order, the ASG said that there were possibilities of strike and consequently the essential services for public would be at stake.

The refusal to issue fitness certificate to vehicles in Delhi and NCR came after the Tribunal's (NGT) April 7 order through which it had held that all diesel vehicles which are more than 10-years-old will not be permitted to ply in Delhi-NCR. Later, the Supreme Court also dismissed the plea challenging the Tribunal's order.