The National Green Tribunal, in an attempt to improve air quality, has banned the plying of all diesel vehicles on Delhi roads, which are more than 10 years old. The ban also applies to petrol vehicles over 15 years old. Considering the fact that diesel is the prime source of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, NGT said that the ban of old cars was a necessary step. The situation in the national capital is so grave, that people have been advised to leave Delhi, due to adverse effects on health.
NGT has directed authorities in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana to submit details of all vehicles plying on city roads. This is not the first time when NGT has passed such an order. Last year, similar orders were issued by the Tribunal in April and November. The governments of Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, have been slammed by a five-judge bench of the tribunal court, for not taking adequate measures on improving the air quality standards of Delhi.
The growing impact of pollution on children has become a serious issue and unless strict measures are taken, the pollution levels cannot be reduced. Also, the court has banned all unregulated construction in violation of environment laws in the region.
Some of the major countries including China, Denmark and Brazil have taken adequate steps to prohibit diesel vehicles and are also imposing stringent taxes on them. Just a fortnight ago, due to pollution crisis in Paris, the mayor cut the number of cars allowed to drive in the city by half. The city of lights took this major step after its air quality was ranked the worst in the world.
Image Credit: (oldcarsline.com)
