The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Saturday rapped the Delhi government for choosing one out of the many guidelines provided by the Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) and announcing the implementation of the car-rationing scheme.
A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said, “There were 99 other guidelines issued by the EPCA but you decided to select one? Will it be a whim of a particular officer in the government or do we take that the government of NCT Delhi decided to implement the odd even scheme?”
Emergency measures
The Tribunal also stated that the city being exposed to poor ambient air quality 48 hours before the emergent measures are adopted was not a viable option. “We direct that 48 hours may be relevant for determining average pollutant values, but not for taking emergent measures particularly when it crosses 700 micrograms per cubic metre,” said the Bench.
After officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) stated that sprinkling of water would be effective in reducing the pollutants in cases of environmental emergency, the Bench said, “We direct that the same shall be implemented without default and delay in future and even during the coming week unless it rains by tomorrow or day after, as per the reports of the meteorological department.”
‘No grounds’
“But we make it clear that no economic constraints or grounds will be entertained as a defence to sprinkling of water if the pollution levels rise beyond 700 micrograms per cubic metre for PM 10 and 400 micrograms per cubic metre for PM 2.5,” directed the Bench.
The green panel also observed that despite passing appropriate directions, there was “rampant construction” being carried out in the Capital.
“The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been carrying out heavy earthmoving and construction activity at the crossing of CWG complex near Akshardham. Construction work is going on at the NBCC project at Kidwai Nagar as well. We issue show-cause to both these organisations asking why exemplary fine should not be imposed on them,” said the Bench.
Parking prices
Further, directing the Delhi government to reconsider its decision regarding the increase in parking prices, the tribunal asked the civic bodies and other authorities to take necessary steps to remove discrepancies in the parking system that often lead to major traffic blocks.
The green panel has also constituted a committeeto collect the data for the ambient air quality during peak hours, for the next 10 days.