Ban on 10-yr-old diesel vehicles to stay: NGT

The Tribunal noted that the ban on the 10-year-old vehicles had been upheld by the Supreme Court and it couldn’t go against the apex court’s decision.

Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, told the bench that various truck operators were planning to hold agitations and protests against the governments of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, for their refusal to issue fitness certificates to diesel vehicles which were over 10 years old.

The ASG had sought modification of the NGT’s ban order and argued that such a strike would negatively affect essential services for the public.

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The Tribunal stated, “Additional Solicitor General has made a prayer for variation of our earlier order and submits that in the public interest, at least the state may not be held responsible for ‘challaning’ of the diesel vehicles during the pendency of the application filed by Union of India in that behalf”.

Refusing to modify the order, the NGT bench said, “We decline to vary our earlier order. However, till disposal of the application which is pending, it is for the state to ‘challan’ diesel vehicle or not so as to prevent complete non-supply of essential articles to the city of Delhi, as according to her there is imminent threat in that behalf”.

On April 7, the NGT had directed that diesel vehicles which were over 10 years old should not be permitted to ply in Delhi and NCR. The Supreme Court had also dismissed a plea that challenged the Tribunal’s order.