National Green Tribunal on Friday granted partial relief to commercial vehicles undertaking transport of essential goods like petroleum and food materials on behalf of the government.
It has given a breather of three years to continue using the vehicle over the life period of ten years. The vehicles cannot enter the territory of Delhi.
The NGT had earlier banned diesel vehicles past ten years from plying in Delhi-NCR. The partial relief does not include private individual users.
The Tribunal noted that emissions from diesel vehicles is carcinogenic in nature and one diesel vehicle causes pollution equivalent to 24 petrol vehicles or otherwise 40 CNG vehicles.
The Green panel said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which had sought modification of NGT's April 7, 2015 order, did not file any review plea and moved the Tribunal "in the guise of seeking modification".
The bench which delivered the judgement also comprised Justices Jawad Rahim, R S Rathore and one expert member B S Sajwan.
The Centre had earlier opposed the ban, saying there was a "misconception" that only diesel pollutes the environment.
Noting that diesel is the prime source of air pollution in Delhi, the tribunal had earlier held that all diesel vehicles which are more than 10 years old, will not be permitted to ply in Delhi-NCR.
The Green panel had issued an order last year directing the Delhi RTO to deregister all diesel vehicles operating in the city that are over 10 years old.
Details Awaited.
