Delhi pollution: NGT says right to life being snatched, orders ban on vehicles

Petrol cars older than 15 years, diesel vehicles older than 10 years cannot enter the capital, the tribunal ordered. Delhi HC suggests Odd-Even rationing be brought back

India’s environment watchdog ordered a ban on old vehicles and trucks with construction material from the national capital region on Thursday morning, strengthening curbs and heavily criticising authorities for failing to tackle an unprecedented pollution build-up.

View of the steel 'Charkha’', installed at Rajiv Chowk, enveloped by heavy smog in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI Photo)

Diesel vehicles older than 10 years, petrol cars older than 15 years should not be allowed to enter Delhi and trucks carrying construction material must be stopped in the entire NCR, which includes cities of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the National Green Tribunal ordered, according to news agency ANI.

Almost in tandem, the Delhi high court too issued orders to the Union and state governments to hold emergency meetings within three days to tackle the smog crisis and explore options such as bringing back the Odd-Even restrictions – an alternate-day vehicle rationing system.

The other option the HC suggested be looked at was cloud seeding to create artificial rain.

The NGT, which has previously issued several orders to governments in states surrounding Delhi, took a strong line on Thursday’s hearings.