Convert all commercial vehicles plying at airport into CNG in 6 months: NGT

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday directed the authorities to ensure compliance of its order to convert all commercial vehicles, plying at the Delhi airport, into CNG. The tribunal gave six months to complete the process.

While passing the order, the NGT directed the Indira Gandhi International Airport, DIAL and other agencies to allow only the CNG vehicles in the airport zone. It also directed the Civil Aviation Ministry to ensure 'judgment based' use of reverse thrust by planes to curb noise pollution at IGI airport.

The tribunal has also asked the ministry to ensure construction of sound barriers and erection of green belt around airport boundary wall. The NGT had of late passed several harsh measures in a bid to tackle the spiralling air pollution in the national capital region.

Earlier this month, the tribunal had asked the officials to submit an action plan to tackle pollution, and upon non-compliance, it warned of deducting salaries.

In its order, the NGT had asked all state governments to submit a plan which will be enforced whenever there is a spike in pollution levels in the states. Those failing to file an action plan will have to pay a fine of Rs 5 lakh which will be deducted from the salary of the senior most responsible officer, it said.

The plan would come into force whenever the Central Pollution Control Board or Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) reports a rise in pollution. It had earlier also refused to exempt women and two-wheelers from the Delhi government's odd-even vehicle rationing scheme and directed it to ensure that diesel vehicles over 10 years old be taken off the roads without delay.