NGT cancels plea filed against implementation of odd-even scheme in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) raised questions on the maintainability of a plea challenging the implementation of the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme in the capital and finally dismissed the plea.

The NGT bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, NGT Chairperson asked while dismissing the plea, “Under which section is the plea maintainable?”

The green panel raised questions post hearing the plea moved by advocate Gaurav Bansal who claimed that previous reports by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that the vehicle rationing scheme had no significant impact on the ambient air quality in Delhi. The plea stated that the scheme was earlier implemented in the capital twice in January and April 2016 and resulted in no significant reduction in air pollution in the capital, as per reports from the CPCB and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

The plea further claimed, “The decision of the Delhi government to implement the odd-even policy in November 2019, ignoring the findings of two top-level institutes of the nation dealing with environmental pollution, has given a wrong message among the Indian scientist community and most of them are questioning the detailed scientific analysis study…”

The petition was filed on Monday, September 16, post the announcements made by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on September 13, on the fact that the odd-even policy will be rolled out in capital between November 4 and 15. The CM also said that the odd-even scheme was a part of a seven-point action-plan that also included distribution of anti-pollution masks, mechanised sweeping and sprinkling of water among other measures.