Centre asks NGT not to extend ban on diesel vehicles

The Centre has moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) seeking directions not to extend to other cities the Supreme Court ban on registration of diesel vehicles beyond 2000 CC as it will adversely impact the of growth of the automobile industry.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries also requested the green tribunal not to apply any restrictions in any city on sale and registration of new diesel vehicles that comply with statutory emission norms.

It said, the automobile industry is the largest constituent of the manufacturing sector which contributes to more than 47 per cent of the manufacturing GDP of the country. The Supreme Court had passed an order in December last year banning registration of SUV and private diesel cars of the capacity of 2000 cc in the NCR up to 31st March, 2016.

Subsequently the ban was extended to 30th of April, 2016 and later it ordered the status quo till it takes up the matter



after vacation. Meanwhile, the NGT has criticised the state governments for not taking a clear stand on pollution and vehicle density in major cities in their jurisdiction. NGT had directed them to submit information by today failing which bailable warrants will be issued against Chief Secretaries.

The green panel directed Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal to apprise it about cities which have worst ambient air quality.

Also total the number of vehicles along with their bifurcation on diesel and petrol basis and the total population in each city.

The tribunal also slammed Central Pollution Control Board for submitting half-baked data on the population and vehicle density in major cities across the country and directed Delhi RTO to appear before it and inform it about the total number of vehicles in the national capital along with their break-up.