NGT seeks report on Gujarat government’s plan to buy 4,000 diesel buses

AHMEDABAD: The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered Gujarat government to submit a report within a month on its bid to purchase 4,000 BS-IV buses and to explain how this is not a violation of the directions issued by the Supreme Court and the tribunal to curb vehicular pollution.
The tribunal on Friday issued the show-cause notice and sought report in response to an application filed by Mustak Kadri expressing grievance against the state government’s plan to purchase 4,000 buses for non-essential purposes. Citing its earlier orders, the tribunal said, “Fact remains that purchase of diesel buses is alleged to be in violation of orders of the Supreme Court in M C Mehta v/s Union of India and the orders of this tribunal.”
On December 5 last year, in response to Kadri’s application, the tribunal had ordered the state government to do away with all heavy vehicles that are 10 years old. It also ordered to put restrictions on registration of diesel vehicles. Kadri had prayed to restrain the state government from buying new diesel vehicles for public transportation. He had also urged NGT to order the state government to phase out all public transport and commercial vehicles that are 10 years old.
The NGT had ordered that all the norms for plying and registering heavy vehicles in National Capital Region (NCR) would be applicable in Gujarat. While ordering restriction on purchase of new diesel vehicles, the tribunal had granted some relaxations to diesel vehicles used in emergency and essential services. They can be used for 13 years as against 10 years’ utility for other vehicles.
In 2012, Gujarat high court had also ordered conversion of all vehicles to natural gas in response to a PIL. This order has remained unchallenged till date. Three years later, the HC suggested the government to prepare a plan to phase out diesel vehicles plying on road for more than 10 years.