The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday (November 17) withdrew its ban on 20-year-old petrol vehicles, 10-year-old diesel vehicles and on construction activity in Delhi. This ban was imposed in view of the deplorable air quality of the capital. The bench, however, has said that authorities should strictly monitor the movement of such vehicles.

One part of its ban, on industries within Delhi and NCR, however, stays. The NGT bench, headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, said: “All directions in relation to emissions from industry, burning of waste and crop residue shall continue to be enforced.”

The stubble burning issue, probably the main cause of such poor Air Quality Index, persists. On this the bench said that the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan will have to submit their action plan as well as steps taken to curb pollution. The time given to the states is two weeks.

The bench also said that the construction of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway could go ahead, but added a rider that no dust pollution should be caused.

—India Legal Bureau