Aficionados Seek NGT Approval to Host Vintage Car Rally in Delhi

Apparently last week the Supreme Court had clarified that it will not stop NGT from hearing matters pertaining to air pollution in Delhi. This is evidently why vintage cars connoisseurs have moved the green panel seeking its nod to organise a car rally in the city. The petition has been filed by Mr. Madan Mohan, founder trustee of the 21 Gun Salute Heritage and Cultural Trust and organiser of "21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Auto Show." In fact last week the apex court had asked senior advocate KTS Tulsi to move the NGT with the plea to give a go ahead for the vintage car rally to be held in Delhi as it would generate funds for disabled children.

The plea filed for Mr. Mohan says, "The application is being filed for the clarification or exemption from the order of the NGT dated November 26, 2014 with regard to its applicability to vintage car rally for participation in the Incredible India Enticing India's Royal Vintage Motoring Culture "21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concourse Show 2016" (6th edition) to be held on February 6 and 7, 2016 in furtherance to the liberty granted by the Supreme Court vide order dated January 21."

The plea further stated that, "It is pertinent to mention here that in the rallies held in the past, the spastic and blind children have been associated and have also benefitted from the same as they not only took part in the rally but also received part of the proceeds received by the organisers of the rally. In the present rally also the spastic children and blind children would be associated,"

This has been a major topic of concern for the NGT mainly because in November 26, 2014 it had ordered a ban on cars over15 years old to ply on Delhi roads, which disqualifies vintage cars from participating in any rally. However, last year the NGT had relaxed the ban for a day and allowed one-time exception saying, "We make it clear that none of the vintage cars would be otherwise permitted on the roads of NCR, Delhi nor any authority would issue fitness certificates to them without specific order of the Tribunal." This is apparently why the connoisseurs hope to receive an exemption this year too.