NGT directs all states to furnish information on pollution levels

After creating a ruckus yesterday, the National Green Tribunal (slightly) softened its stand today in the diesel ban case. NGT today said that it will hear all the states over the different aspects of pollution, before passing an order in this regard.

. A 5-judge Bench headed by Chairperson Swatanter Kumar directed all states to furnish on affidavit information detailing a plethora of aspects including two of the state’s most polluting cities, total vehicular population, levels of pollution existing presently in the cities and so on. Other significant

. The affidavits, which have to be filed within a period of three weeks, are also to be uploaded by the states on their respective websites. The Bench categorically held that till these inputs are not received from the states, no order shall be passed regarding extension of ban on diesel vehicles (presently operative in Delhi) to other states. The case will now be heard on July 11, after which the Bench is expected to pass a set of directions in this regard.

. Other necessary information which is to be furnished by the states :-

. a) Sources of pollution (whether caused by dust, burning of waste or vehicles) existing in the two most polluted cities of each state;

. b) Ambient air quality in these cities;

. c) Population of these cities and;

. d) A break-up of heavy vehicles and light vehicles, diesel vehicles and petrol vehicles, apart from the two/three/four wheelers running in these cities.

. Today’s order came in the background of a plea to ban diesel vehicles with more than 2000 cc engine capacity, in states other than Delhi. The Supreme Court had, in December last year banned the registration of new vehicles of more than 2000 cc in NCR (National Capital Region).

. Recently, NGT had followed suit and banned the operation of diesel vehicles in Kerala which was subsequently stayed by the state’s High Court.

NGT directs all states to furnish information on pollution levels

Smrithi Suresh

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