Clarify Stand On Making CNG Main Fuel For Vehicles: NGT Tells Delhi’s Neighbouring States
Is a complete shift to CNG viable? Green tribunal moots plan.
The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday directed five states to clarify their position on making Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) the main fuel for vehicles.
The states – including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Punjab – all have been given time till October 20 to respond to NGT's questions. The green tribunal has also asked the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) to provide details of CNG pipelines laid across these states, and its future course of action.
These directions came during the hearing of a plea filed by lawyer Vardhaman Kaushik on the deteriorating air quality in Delhi.
During the last hearing in the matter, the tribunal had observed that 50 percent of Delhi’s air pollution is being caused by its neighbouring states and had asked them to introduce CNG stations to curb pollution. All five states were warned that if CNG stations are not installed, the NGT would be forced to halt transport in all five states.
The tribunal had also adjourned hearing of pleas filed by auto companies seeking clarification on the ban on heavy commercial vehicles.
In July this year, the National Green Tribunal had asked Delhi’s transport department to cancel the registration of diesel vehicles older than 10 years. Two days later, the tribunal had directed the government to first phase out 15-year old diesel vehicles.
Thereafter, auto companies had filed appeals against the tribunal’s decision, and the latter is still in the process of hearing these cases and giving its final decision.
Simultaneously, auto manufacturers including Tata Motors, Toyota India, Mercedes-Benz India and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) had also challenged Delhi government’s notification that has banned registration of diesel commercial vehicles above 2,000cc engine capacity in the National Capital Region.
Automobile majors had argued that with the Supreme Court of India lifting the ban on registration of luxury cars above 2,000 cc engine in Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region), the Delhi government’s ban on heavy commercial vehicles should also go.
The green court had banned registration of new diesel-run vehicles in Delhi-NCR in December 2015.
The next hearing of air pollution related cases is scheduled for October 28.