NEW DELHI: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the states in the national capital region (NCR) to file reports on compliance to the graded response action plan (GRAP) notified by the Centre.
While dis
posing of a four-year-old case on air pollution in Delhi filed by advocate Vardhaman Kaushik, NGT also directed Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and other NCR state pollution control boards to file air quality status in the region every month.
The NGT bench, headed by chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, reiterated that a ban on more than 10-yearold diesel vehicles would continue in Delhi and the rest of NCR. Citing NGT’s order of December 11, 2015 prohibiting registration of new diesel vehicles except ones for essential services, the current bench maintained the status quo.
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The GRAP designed by NGT in December 2017 should also be integrated into the Centre’s GRAP that was notified following a Supreme Court order, the tribunal said.
Last year, an NGT bench, headed by former chairperson Swatanter Kumar, said the GRAP notified by the Centre had failed to prevent smog episodes in Delhi. “An approach has to be adopted that is precautionary and preventive rather than curative,” it pointed out. Following this, the current bench has also said NGT’s modifications to GRAP should be implemented. “We are of the view that there is a need for change in the procedure earlier laid down to the effect that the GRAP already notified with further modifications in the light of orders of this tribunal needs to be fully implemented,” the order stated.
NGT also clarified that a monitoring committee set up by it on November 11, 2016 would check compliance to these orders. The committee comprises of, among others, the Union environment secretary, chief secretaries of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi, the member-secretaries of CPCB and state pollution control boards,and IIT-Delhi professor Mukesh Khare.
“NGT disposed of the matter by reiterating the implementation of earlier orders on controlling air pollution. The bench also recalled SC’s orders on the issue like the 1% pollution charge on diesel SUVs,” said Sanjay Upadhyay, advocate representing Kaushik.
