National Green Tribunal seeks congestion tax, higher parking fee

The Economic Times , Friday, December 05, 2014
Correspondent : Jayashree Nandi, / Article
NEW DELHI: Calling for "harsh" measures to tackle the growing problem of air pollution in and around the capital, the National Green Tribunal on Thursday asked the government to consider hiking parking fee, imposing a congestion charge on vehicles and increasing the registration fee for two and four-wheelers in Delhi.

The bench headed by NGT chairperson, Justice Swatanter Kumar, directed government agencies to come up with proposals on these points before the next date of hearing. The hearing on Thursday continued for almost two hours with Kumar expanding the scope of measures and ways in which Delhi could handle the pollution crisis.

The bench clarified that its measures to tackle air pollution would apply to the national capital region. A step in that direction would be to introduce Bharat Stage V norms in Delhi and upgrade the rest of NCR to BS IV. The green court also directed Delhi Pollution Control Committee and transport department to introduce catalytic converters, an emission control device, in diesel vehicles.

In addition to its 14-point order on November 26 which included an immediate ban on vehicles older than 15 years in the city, the bench directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), environment ministry scientists and state pollution boards to monitor ambient air quality in the entire national capital region (NCR) for one month. The monitoring should include peak pollution levels as well as troughs through the day, it said.

"Air pollution is increasing day by day, causing various health problems to the citizens of Delhi. Even morning walkers are not safe in the capital. It is unquestionable that citizens of Delhi are entitled to better quality of water and air," Kumar said.

The bench said Delhi's air pollution came from three main sources — vehicles, dust and burning of biomass and waste. Thursday's hearing touched upon all three.

"The bench directed DTC to come up with uniform timetables so that buses maintain a steady frequency but don't cause congestion at the same time. The buses will also be subjected to mechanical inspection tests and PUC twice a month," said N P Singh, a lawyer representing one of the government departments.

The tribunal refused to take a lenient view on parking and said corporations should start a pilot project in Lajpat Nagar and Karol Bagh market to see how parking-led congestion can be avoided. "He also reiterated that no parking will be allowed on tarred roads," Singh added.

The bench directed that hot-mix coal-tar plants not be allowed in the open or on the roads, as it leads to toxic emissions. Even construction sites need to be equipped with technology to ensure there are no emissions and dust from the material is not blown away.

Vardhaman Kaushik, the Petitioner in the case, said he was confident that the bench will make sure that the air pollution problem is addressed in Delhi. "The bench and justice Swatanter Kumar have started a consultative process and all authorities have starting taking the onus for action. I am very hopeful," he said.

 
SOURCE : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/45381771.cms
 


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