NGT SEEKS PLAN FROM PUNJAB, HARYANA, DELHI ON POLLUTION

: The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi, Punjab and Haryana governments to file a detailed action plan by Thursday to tackle air pollution.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar passed the direction on Wednesday while observing that the air quality in the national capital was never normal. “You all (states) tell us what steps you will take at what level of pollution. What are your normal steps to check pollution,” the bench said.

During the proceedings, the Delhi government filed an action plan to tackle the problems recommending ban on construction activities and entry of trucks and implementation of odd-even plan, among other steps.

However, the bench asked the Delhi government counsel to file a detailed report, also including details of exemptions given in the ‘odd-even’ vehiclerationing plan.

The NGT had on December 4 lashed out at the Delhi government for not filing a comprehensive action plan on ways to deal with severe air pollution in the city and slammed authorities for holding the India-Sri Lanka cricket match despite bad air quality.

On November 28, it had asked the AAP government and four neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to submit an action plan on tackling pollution.

It had earlier directed the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee and every state pollution control boards to file ambient air quality analysis before the tribunal on a monthly basis and also put up on their websites to enable the authority concerned to take effective steps to control air pollution.

DELHI FILED ACTION PLAN RECOMMENDING BAN ON CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES AND ENTRY OF TRUCKS BESIDES ODDEVEN PLAN; WAS ASKED TO SUBMIT A DETAILED PLAN