Dry leaves being burnt and not vehicles worst polluters in Delhi, says government to NGT

NEW DELHI: The Centre claims vehicles are not the worst polluters but it's not saying what's behind Delhi's terrible air quality either. The Union transport ministry continued to skirt the issue before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday , with additional solicitor general (ASG) Pinky Anand submitting that dry leaves that are burnt in the "green city" could be composted instead to deal with poor air quality .

As soon as the Centre tried to push the blame onto dust and leaves, the NGT bench said, "Find out if you want to say anything that has not been said," showing its exasperation with the way the government has been avoiding a clampdown on vehicles.

Since October, the government has stubbornly refused to accept all the evidence linking vehicle emissions to harmful health effects. Questioning an IIT Delhi report cited by the Centre, the bench said, "According to the IIT report, 17% or 18% of the pollution is due to traffic, please define the rest of the 83%."

When Anand replied IIT Kanpur and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) are still analyzing the contribution of different activities to air pollution, and their report won't be available before September, the bench said, what good is the IIT report "without analyzing the con tribution of all kinds of die sel vehicles, especially heavy vehicles?" Earlier, NGT had criti cized another IIT Delhi re port prepared for the minis try that claimed traffic did not affect air quality as levels of PM 2.5 (fine, respirable pol lution particles) in RK Puram remained high even on Sun days and holidays, without stating the reasons for the high levels. "We have three studies that say vehicles are responsible but IIT wakes up one morning and says other wise," NGT said on Tuesday .

Government agencies ha ve not responded to the nine issues NGT had raised earlier. Among other things, it had sought views on the on-road life of vehicles and directed that computerized check posts be set up at the nine en try points to Delhi. "I don't think even a single such post has been raised...Haryana hasn't responded still on the status of bypasses to Delhi."

As a way to reduce traffic congestion and the resultant air pollution, NGT suggested staggering office timings."Delhi is mostly government offices. Why can't you arrange the timings in a way so that buses are not crowded, there is less congestion on roads?" It asked the Centre to discuss the idea with all stakeholders. "You can also take the universities along. If a child can go to school at 7am, why can't a graduate?" But the lack of responsiveness from the authorities irked the bench. "It has still not rung bells. This matter (air pollution) has been pending for a year, let's have at least one thing done, let some people say okay , we will do it," it said.

To NGT's query on how many builders have been challaned for causing pollution, only East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) submitted that 66 have been challaned, of which six paid up Rs 50,000 each in fines.

The bench has now fixed the matter for day-to-day hearing starting Monday and asked all the authorities, including the Centre, and the governments of Delhi, Haryana and UP to file status reports on compliance with its orders.