India

No exemption in Odd Even scheme for 2 wheelers or women drivers, NGT tells Delhi Government

No exemption in Odd Even scheme for 2 wheelers or women drivers, NGT tells Delhi Government

Giving another blow to Delhi Government’s effort, the National Green Tribunal has dismissed the reconsideration petition filed in relation to the Odd-Even scheme for exempting 2 wheeler and women drivers. Kejriwal government had filed a review petition with the NGT where the tribunal had said that in the future when the odd-even will be applicable, no one will be exempted. While hearing the plea, the NGT refused to grant any rebate to anyone, including women drivers and two-wheelers, under the odd-even. 

This means that if in the future the application of Odd-Even was implemented, then no one will be exempted. All types of vehicles will come in its jade. The Top Green court also observed that the application by the Delhi government of the odd-even scheme was based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) and not any other sort of discretion.

During the hearing, the green body said any exemption would defeat the improving purpose of the air quality of Delhi. The green panel court also directed the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to introduce more buses for the implement of the odd-even scheme, as per the Supreme Court ordered. which will strengthen the public transport system.

Justice Swatanter Kumar, who is a bench head of NGT said, “It is undisputed before NGT, that there are more than 60 lakh two-wheelers in Delhi. The number also consists of two-wheelers which are old and their emissions are beyond prescribed limits.”

“It also cannot be disputed that two-wheelers emissions are also a major source of pollution in Delhi. The exemptions sought would defeat the air quality of Delhi,” Kumar added.

Reportedly, it had observed in Delhi and the neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan, the air pollution is still not at “normal level”. Earlier, the Green Panel Court had also directed the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee and every state pollution control board to file ambient air quality analysis.

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Shilpi Gupta

Food Technologist by Profession and Blogger by Destiny. love to write articles on food technology, spirituality and social issues.

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