NGT notice to government for violating petrol, and diesel vehicle ban, know details

The state government has received a notice amid severe pollution in Delhi from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over the use of old petrol and BS4 diesel vehicles by officials. The notice was issued as the national capital continues to be under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Phase 4 measures implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) from Monday, December 16 due to a rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. The measures include a ban on the plying of BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel cars, among other commercial vehicles.

NGT sought a response from the Delhi government over the use of banned petrol and diesel vehicles by some officials during GRAP Phase 4 restrictions. Commuters found violating the vehicle ban in Delhi are fined up to Rs 20,000. The NGT earlier banned the use of more than 10-year-old petrol and 15-year-old diesel vehicles in Delhi to keep the pollution level at a lower level. According to the reports, most of the government vehicles in use are old and violate the ban under NGT.

The NGT notice sent to the Delhi government said, "Counsel for the applicant (MLA) has referred to Annexure A2, a list of 107 vehicles pertaining to the Delhi government, while pointing out that there still exist many diesel and, petrol vehicles belonging to/owned by Delhi government. which have completed 10- 15 years of age before they are actually running into the roads.". The Delhi government currently has around 3,000 government vehicles. The NGT will hear the matter on February 20 next year.

While the GRAP Phase 4 disallows the movement of cars in Delhi carrying BS 3 petrol or BS 4 diesel emission certificates, the remaining all variants have been excluded from the ban list. Also, CNG vehicles running with older emissions norms would have no prohibition to run. The ban does not also apply to electric vehicles or any vehicle deployed in rendering any essential service.