Pollution Due To Absence Of Policy For Scraping Old Vehicles, NGT Orders Scraping Policy, Shifting Out Of Scrap Markets [Read Order]

As the busy and congested scrap markets in Delhi continue to lead to massive air pollution due to toxic fumes from open-air dismantling and severe traffic congestion, the National Green Tribunal has directed constitution of a joint committee to prepare a ‘ scraping policy ’ and also an action plan for shifting out the scrap markets from busy areas to other locations within three months.

 A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel took note of a newspaper report which highlighted absence of policy and action for dealing with the scrapping of old vehicles which stand deregistered and consequent air pollution and environment degradation.

 The bench noted that the Delhi Government has deregistered 40 lakhs vehicles, which are 15 years old petrol vehicles and 10 years old diesel vehicles.

 The Tribunal also took note of the photograph accompanying the article which showed a large number of vehicles dumped in Mayapuri scrap market between C and E blocks.

 “This has resulted in road space being occupied on account of open-air metal dis-mantling workshops. Trucks are struck on the road for hours on account of this causing huge air pollution,” noted the bench.

The bench then directed “constitution of a Joint Committee headed by Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport, Government of India with representatives from Central Pollution Control Board, MoEF & CC and Delhi Government to examine the matter and to prepare an appropriate scrapping policy. Such policy be prepared by concerned Authorities within three months. The nodal agency for this purpose will be the Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport”.

 It directed that the report be furnished to this Tribunal on or before 31st March 2019.

 “We further direct the Chief Secretary, Delhi to take steps and prepare an action plan for shifting the scrapyards from busy localities of Delhi to other appropriate locations, within three months. After the scrap is shifted to a suitable location, the same may be handled, processed and disposed of as per the guidelines of CPCB. Such guidelines may be issued by 31.01.2019, by the CPCB,” it ordered.

 It is to be noted that the Tribunal had earlier also taken note of a newspaper report on how scrap market of Mayapuri was churning out toxic fumes and directed constitution of seven Member Special Task Force (STF) comprising representative of CPCB, DDA, DPCC, DSIIDC, SDMC, DM and DCP.