The Supreme Court has directed the Delhi government and the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan to submit action plans to tackle a sharp rise in vehicular emissions in Delhi-NCR. The bench also asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Police to file reports, covering both short-term and long-term measures.
The directions were issued on November 6 in the suo motu case on air pollution. The bench comprised Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Bagchi and Mohana. The court observed that vehicular emissions now appear to be an equally pressing concern alongside stubble burning. Data placed before the court shows that stubble-burning incidents have fallen across the four states, which has shifted attention towards traffic as a major contributor to the region's air quality.
The court has sought specific measures against over-age and end-of-life vehicles, as well as against vehicles that do not comply with emission norms. The states have been asked to explain how they will prevent such vehicles from entering the National Capital Region. The reports must also detail how the enforcement of Pollution Under Control (PUC) certification is being carried out, so that the court can see whether vehicles on the road are being checked in practice rather than only on paper.
To assess enforcement, the court has asked for data on the number of vehicles inspected, challaned, denied entry and penalised. These figures will allow the bench to gauge whether the measures already in place are producing results, and to identify where enforcement is falling short across the region.
Inter-state movement of vehicles has also come under scrutiny. The bench wants the governments to frame rules governing the entry of commercial and private vehicles from neighbouring states into Delhi. The states have also been asked to explain how Delhi and its neighbours coordinate on inter-state vehicle movement, and to address suggestions made by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the amicus curiae. Because a large share of the vehicles that enter the capital every day come from outside it, the rules sought by the court will bear directly on commuters and freight operators across the region.
The states have been given two weeks to file their responses and roadmaps. The matter on vehicular emissions is next listed for hearing on November 23. The court has also scheduled other suo motu hearings on air pollution for November 25, 26 and 30, meaning that the vehicular emissions issue will be considered alongside the wider air pollution case over the coming days.
The hearings come amid heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic on roads linking Delhi to its satellite cities. The Centre has said that restrictions under the BS-VI emission standards are being enforced. The court has asked the states to substantiate such claims with their own enforcement records, so that the position on the ground can be compared with the official account.
Source: nationalheraldindia.com
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