The National Green Tribunal pulled up the Centre and Delhi Government over air pollution
With Delhi being engulfed by the worst smog in 17 years, the National Green Tribunal today came down heavily on the Centre and Delhi government for not taking steps to tackle the alarming air pollution level, asking them not to shift the blame on each other.
"It is unfair to the people of Delhi. In everything, the authorities are just throwing off their hands. We have to do something. You cannot say that time will do it," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Swatanter Kumar said.
"Regarding health (of the people), nobody is bothered. On air pollution, nobody's bothered. The authorities are shifting the blame on each other. It is very bad," the bench remarked.
The bench also directed Delhi government to stop the plying of diesel vehicles more than 10 years old on the roads of the national capital.
During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the Delhi government told the bench that the high level of air pollution was due to the burning of agricultural residue in neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan.
"It's not just the crop burning. There is no crop burning in Delhi. According to you, crop burning is in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan but nowadays there is no wind, so the smoke can't come here from these states," the bench retorted.
The National Green Tribunal also issued notices to the Secretaries of Environment and Urban Development of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and directed them to remain present before it on the next date of hearing on November 8.
The NGT also asked the authorities to look into other aspects of air pollution emanating out of dust, burning of plastic, waste and uncovered construction material lying in the open and vehicular pollution.
"There are three other sources of air pollution. Why do you not take steps? You know hillocks of waste is being burnt every day at the landfill sites. This itself is enough to kill people of Delhi. Why don't you fix the responsibility of the officers and take action against them," the bench said.
At the outset of hearing, the bench wanted to know about the preventive steps which were discussed during the meeting held yesterday in pursuance to its order.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Pinky Anand, who was appearing for the Centre, told the tribunal that as per the order, Chief Secretary of Delhi was to convene the meeting.
To this, the bench said, "central government is living in Delhi too. You can't say you are not concerned with air pollution. Yesterday we had passed directions to authorities concerned to have a meeting with the Chief Secretary of Delhi government along with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other authorities".
"What happened in the meeting? Who will tell us? We are asking this, but still there are no answers," the bench said, adding, "regarding health (of the people), nobody is bothered. On air pollution, nobody is bothered. The authorities are shifting the blame on each other. It is very bad".
Ms Anand, however, told the green panel that there was no question of shifting the blame and they will file a status report detailing the preventive steps to be taken to tackle air pollution.
She also assured the bench that she would ensure that immediate steps are taken to curb uncontrolled air pollution.
However, the counsel appearing for Delhi government said two meetings were convened yesterday to discuss the issue of air pollution in the national capital.
Referring to NASA images, the counsel said that burning of crops and agricultural residues was the main reason for the rise in air pollution.
The lawyer said he would file the minutes of meetings and a status report before the next date of hearing.