10-year-old light, heavy diesel vehicles banned by NGT

National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 23 May 2016 banned use of light and heavy diesel vehicles, which are more than 10 years old, in six major cities. The cities where these vehicles can’t ply on the roads include Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kollam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur. In its first sitting, the NGT Circuit bench, comprising NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued the order while hearing a petition seeking action against highly polluting diesel vehicles such as trucks and buses. The other member of the bench was Bikram Singh Sajwan. The petition was filed by Lawyers’ Environmental Awareness Forum (LEAF). Directions of the NGT • It directed the state government not to register any diesel vehicle in the capacity of 2000 CC and more, except public transport and local authority vehicles. • It said, upon expiry of 30 days (from 23 May 2016), if any vehicle is found to be violating this direction will have to pay 5000 rupees as environmental compensation and this will be collected by traffic police or pollution control board. • It asked the state police and pollution control board to maintain separate account in this regard. It also directed that the funds should be utilized for betterment of environment in these cities.