Highlighting the urgency to find immediate solutions to curb air pollution rather than mull over possible solutions, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Environment Pollution Control Authority to inspect over 900 Pollution Under Certificate stations across Delhi, many of whom are facing action for committing irregularities.
A Bench led by Justice Madan B. Lokur was hearing a suggestion by the amicus curiae and senior advocate, Harish Salve, that pollution certificates should be linked to vehicle insurance.
The Centre, represented by Solicitor-General Ranjit Kumar, said even the functioning of several of the pollution checking stations in Delhi were suspect.
Show cause notice
Mr. Kumar said of the 962 stations in the national Capital, 174 have been issued show cause notice for irregularities. These pollution centres check at least 5,000 vehicles a month.
Mr. Kumar revealed the chequered track record of the pollution centres in some detail to the court. Of the 962 centres, 75 have been suspended, 14 cancelled and warning notices were issued to 78.
The Bench asked the Centre to furnish a status report regarding show cause notices issued to PUC centres.
The Centre further informed the court that consultations with stakeholders were on to ban pet coke and furnace oil as industrial fuel in Delhi-National Capital Region.
The government said reports were sought on the issued from scientific bodies such as the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), National Physical Laboratory, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) and industrial houses.
Status report
The court has asked for a status report on the proposal to ban pet coke and furnace oil by the next court hearing on February 6.
