With pollution increasing in Delhi, the State government on Wednesday came under severe criticism of the National Green Tribunal for not acting “seriously” to improve the deteriorating air quality in the Capital and directed it to convene an urgent meeting on the issue.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed Secretary, Environment and Forest Department, Health Secretary, Chairman and member secretary of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to hold a meeting at 4.00 p.m.
Ashwani Kumar, Environment and Forest Department Secretray, said a meeting was held, but declined to divulge details of what was discussed. “We will be holding another meeting on Thursday at 1 p.m. for further discussion,” said Mr. Kumar.
Besides this, the Tribunal disposed of two applications seeking no objection certificate to sell in other cities the old vehicles banned by NGT order as they cause more emission. The NGT had yesterday asked the government to inform if it has any policy to transfer vehicles to other areas with high ambient air quality.
“The plea stands disposed of with the direction that once the list of stations that can accommodate such vehicles without exceeding the air quality limits is provided to the Tribunal, Centre does not have any objection,” the Tribunal said.
The green panel on Wednesday also directed the Delhi government to issue a notification within a week with regard to areas in the Capital, which are most polluted.
"What is the status of air pollution? All you can say is that there is no pollution...All stakeholders who are dealing with air pollution indicate that Delhi is highly polluted. The level of PM (particulate matter) 2.5 and PM 10, both are more than prescribed limits. We cannot permit such state of affairs causing serious environmental pollution to prevail," the bench said.
The Tribunal also directed the Central Pollution Control Board to seek information from various states and UTs on ambient air quality in their area and submit a report on the same to the bench.
