The Arvind Kejriwal government on Tuesday filed a fresh petition before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) seeking odd-even scheme for the states adjacent to Delhi including Punjab. It sought directions to be issued to the states governments of Delhi’s neighbouring states for implementing the car-rationing scheme, according to the sources. This will include cities within the NCR region.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had earlier suggested the odd-even scheme to other states to the legal team of the government. The sources also said that a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was created by the Supreme Court-appointed body, Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA).
Yesterday Punjab suffered from the smog with zero visibility in and around Ludhiana. People were tensed and were trapped inside their homes as walking out in the open was like walking in a Gas chamber.
The Delhi government also requested the green panel to exempt two-wheelers and women drivers for one year or till 2,000 additional buses are engaged. “Why can’t you (Delhi government) run ladies special buses to solve the problem of transport during the odd-even scheme?” the Tribunal asked.
The NGT also called the smog situation in the capital an environment and public health emergency. It asked the Delhi government to identify the areas that are most polluted and sprinkle water over them.
The AAP government had filed a petition just hours after the green panel rejected the suggestion of exemption women and two-wheelers from the odd-even scheme and its order that diesel vehicles over 10 years old be taken off the roads immediately. The Tribunal’s review had prompted the Delhi government to withdraw the petition and file a fresh one seeking odd-even across NCR.
Source : India.com
