Air pollution: National Green Tribunal seeks fresh action plan from Delhi

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal today slammed the Delhi government and the neighbouring states over their action plan on ways to deal with severe air pollution in the city and directed them to file a detailed document to tackle with the problem by tomorrow.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar expressed dissatisfaction over the Delhi government's action plan, which was submitted today, and observed that "it wanted all the things to be done by the others." The tribunal observed that air pollution was never at the "normal level" in the national capital and directed the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan to file the action plan afresh.

"What are your plans to tackle the pollution level since it is never at the normal level in the national capital? You all (states) tell us what steps you will take at what level of pollution. What are your normal steps to check pollution," the bench asked.

It directed the chief secretary of the Delhi government to sit with all concerned officials including those of the municipalities and come up with a comprehensive plan by tomorrow.

The counsel for the Delhi government filed the plan which recommended implementation of odd-even plan, entry of trucks in the city, ban on construction works and disallowing the children from playing outside when the air quality turns severe.

The green panel questioned the city government if it would introduce the road rationing plan in consonance with its directions.

The counsel for the Delhi government said he would seek proper instructions and inform the bench accordingly.

During the hearing, advocate Sanjay Upadhyay, appearing for Vardhaman Kaushik who had filed plea against worsening air quality in Delhi, said the action plans submitted by the states was merely "an eye-wash" and they have only "copy- pasted" the recommendations of the Supreme Court appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority.

The NGT had earlier lashed out at the Delhi government for not filing a comprehensive action plan on ways to deal with severe air pollution in the city.

It had directed the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee and every state pollution control boards to file ambient air quality analysis before the tribunal on monthly basis and also put up on their websites to enable the concerned authority to take effective steps to control air pollution.