Vehicles Older than 15 Years to Be Banned in Delhi - NGT

Addressing the deteriorating state of Delhi's air, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered a set of directions to overcome the problem. Of the 14 orders made by a bench headed by NGT's chairperson Swatanter Kumar, the most important one is to ban all the petrol and diesel vehicles that are older than 15 years. The decision will impact around 10 lakh vehicles in the city. Moreover, the green court also ordered to keep a stricter surveillance on overloaded trucks in the city, besides fixing restrictions on parking.

NGT also asked to immediately work on building cycle tracks in most parts of the city, while suggesting authorities to study the possibility of installing air purifiers at marketplaces. The order was issued by by NGT in response to a petition filed by Vardhaman Kaushik on Delhi's air pollution.

As per the order, both petrol and diesel vehicles older than 15 years will not be permitted to run on Delhi roads; and these vehicles will be seized as per the Motor Vehicle Act. The order also suggested RTO to not renew or issue registration or fitness certificates for such vehicles. If any such old vehicles are found parked in a public areas, they should be towed away and fined, NGT said.

NGT also said that any person can complain to the tribunal, DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee) or police about acts resulting in air pollution anywhere in the city. The bench directed DPCC to create a website where the public can upload pictures of any such violations.