Green court rejects odd-even plea again, govt files ‘review’

GREEN COURT JUNKED THE GOVT’S MODIFIED PLEA FOR ODDEVEN MINUS WOMEN AND TWOWHEELERS

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday rejected the government’s modified plea to exempt two-wheeler riders and women in the odd-even scheme after which the AAP government filed a fresh “review” petition.

The government, during the hearing on Tuesday, was asked to withdraw the exemption application with a liberty to file again, which it did after the green court refused to modify its orders.

The new petition urged the NGT to “review” it’s Nov 11 order. In the previous petition, which was heard on Tuesday, the prayer was for “modification”. It also asks the green court to “direct the neighbouring states to implement the odd even scheme”.

Earlier, a green court bench had lambasted the government for its appeal for exemption.

“This is an environmental emergency, so no one is worried. Some other kind of emergency, you people would have taken all steps… Why don’t you take positive steps? Why should we exempt anybody? ” it said.

The Delhi government had on Monday requested the NGT to exempt women drivers and twowheeler users from odd-even , for at least one year. The government admitted that the existing public transport system was not adequate to accommodate them.

The NGT, however, deflated the government’s plea.

“Are you doing this from an environmental point of view? What is the justification? … are you (Delhi government) not responsible for safety of ladies who do not have cars and travel by Metros and buses daily? Why can’t you run special lady buses?... When reports have stated that two-wheelers are more polluting than four-wheelers, why do you intend to give arbitrary exemptions?”

Pulling up government agencies for inaction, the court said, “Courts can’t hold the departments’ fingers like parents do with children.”

It asked the authorities to comply with its order to sprinkle water to bring down pollution.

The court gave the green signal to NHAI to go ahead with construction of the eastern peripheral expressway , subject to an assurance that no pollution would be caused.

Industries involved in manufacturing of essential commodities and food items have been exempted and allowed to run. Industries that are non-polluting and conform to pollution norms can also continue to operate.