PIL seeks control on vehicle emission

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the transport department and the Delhi traffic police on a petition that raised concern over air pollution in the city and sought a direction for stricter implementation of pollution check norms, Harish V Nair reports.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the transport department and the Delhi traffic police on a petition that raised concern over air pollution in the city and sought a direction for stricter implementation of pollution check norms.

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The public interest litigation also sought setting up of more pollution checking units across the Capital, saying the present 600 outlets are insufficient. It demanded strict action against vehicle owners who do not possess valid pollution certificates.

A bench of chief justice D Murugesan and justice Jayant Nath also sought the view of the Delhi Pollution Control Board and Central Pollution Control.

“The issue needs consideration,” said chief justice D Murugesan and justice Jayant Nath asking all parties to file their replies by July 4.

“Improved and effective implementation of the pollution checking system is necessary to improve the air quality in Delhi. The day is not far off when children and senior citizens will have grave health issues, even the current health data paints a grim picture,” Rohit Madan, the lawyer for petitioner Mahesh Gupta told the court.

Quoting a transport department report, Madan said the city added 5 lakh vehicles in a year and total number of registered vehicles stood at a staggering 74 lakh at the end of 2012.

“The number of vehicles will only increase as the government has failed to provide adequate public transport system for the ever-increasing population,” said the PIL.