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Amidst the worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court has made important changes in its order regarding old vehicles. Now the action will be taken on the basis of pollution standards of the vehicle instead of its age. The court has made it clear that strict measures can be taken on vehicles with emissions below BS-IV.
New Delhi. The Supreme Court has made important changes in its old order regarding the increasing air pollution in Delhi-NCR. Now action will be taken not just on the basis of the age of the vehicle, but on the basis of its pollution standards. The court has made it clear that strict steps can be taken against vehicles having standards below BS-IV. This decision has come on the appeal of Delhi Government, in which it had demanded strictness on old vehicles in view of pollution.
Vehicles below BS-IV on target
The Supreme Court bench included Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi. The bench said that now the basis of action will not be the age of the vehicle, but its emission level. In the earlier order, there was a ban on forced action on 10 year old diesel and 15 year old petrol vehicles, but now vehicles below BS-IV will come under the scope of direct action. The court said that practical and ground-based solutions are necessary to deal with pollution.
Toll plazas and traffic jams also become the cause of pollution.
During the hearing, it also came up before the court that the long traffic jams at the toll plazas under MCD are making the air more poisonous. On this, the court directed Delhi Municipal Corporation to consider temporarily closing nine toll plazas and present a concrete plan within a week. The Chief Justice clearly said that more than the earnings from toll, the controversy and pollution arising from it is a matter of concern.
The poor are most affected, the rich are breaking the rules
The court also acknowledged that the poor and working class are being hit the hardest by pollution. The judges commented that affluent people continue to use big diesel vehicles, generators and other polluting equipment, while compliance with rules is low. Also, regarding the workers who became unemployed due to stoppage of construction work, the court directed the Delhi government to transfer the money directly to their bank accounts after verification, so that there is no irregularity.
Transport is the biggest source of pollution
Citing CAQM data, the court was told that about 41% of the air pollution in Delhi-NCR comes from transport. After this there are sources like construction work, industry and power plants. The Supreme Court clearly indicated that if strict and honest implementation is not done, then mere changing of the order will not clear the air.
