NGT slams Centre, Delhi govt for not taking adequate measures to tackle pollution

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal on Friday slammed the centre and Delhi government for not taking adequate steps to tackle air pollution problem in the capital, the result being the current conditions, the worst in 17 years.

Criticizing the Union and state government for indulging in a blame game, the bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said, “For you, the people of Delhi do not matter. Just look at what we are giving our children for the future. This is terrible”.

The green bench reiterated its direction to Delhi government to stop diesel vehicles over 10 years old from plying in the capital and wondered why there was no compliance on the order. However, the Delhi government counsel told the tribunal while challans were indeed being issued, the authorities did not have adequate space to park impounded vehicles.


When the counsel added that stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan was also a reason why the pollution was so high at the moment, the bench retorted, “Crop burning is not the sole reason. There is no wind nowadays, so the smoke and pollutants are not coming from those states.”

The panel was infuriated that no action plan had been drafted to be discussed at a meeting on Thursday of Delhi’s chief secretary, Central Pollution Control Board and the ministry of environment and forests. NGT has now summoned the environment secretaries of Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, UP and Haryana to present an action plan on November 8, when the panel next meets.

“We understand there is a conflict of administration among the civic agencies, Delhi government and the Centre, but you can tell us who is not doing his work,” said the bench.

“It is unfair to the people of Delhi. The authorities are just throwing up their hands. We have to do something. You cannot say that time will do it.”

The bench also highlighted the issue of waste burning, saying they were receiving numerous complaints from people, along with photographs showing leaves and municipal trash being burnt in the open. “There are other sources of pollution like dust, burning of leaves and construction waste.

Why are you not taking any steps? Mounds of waste are being burnt at landfill sites and this alone is enough to kill the people of Delhi,” the bench observed, while hearing a petition filed by scientist Mahendra Pandey through advocate Gaurav Bansal on the high incidence of dengue and chikungunya in the capital.