The National Green Tribunal lashes out at the Delhi government for laid back attitude towards air pollution
Jan 9, 2019 at 3:49 PM
The 3rd Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi witnessed an unusual incident where the Sri Lankans players found it tough to deal with the horrific pollution level in the capital. Dinesh Chandimal and his men had to wear masks on the field to cope up with the bad air quality, and the game had to be stopped.
However, the game is still on at the moment amidst speculations that the match might be called off if both captains agree. The National Tribunal, came down harshly on the Delhi government on 4th of December, for failing to come up with suitable measures to control the air pollution level in the city which has hit a significant high in the past few months. The government has been brutally criticized for holding the India vs Sri Lanka match despite the poor state of air condition in the city.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar took exception over the failure of the AAP government to file the report despite its specific order.
“Where is your action plan? Why have you not submitted it? What can we do if you keep on changing everybody? It’s not our problem if people don’t want to stick to you. You keep on doing meetings but tell us a single action or step you have taken in the last four days to combat air pollution,” the bench said.
The air pollution level in the city has already crossed the highest limit and is a serious issue that needs to be sorted out immediately. The government has been slammed for still maintaining a “lackadaisical” approach towards the same. The Green panel also blasted the authorities for continuing the proceedings of the India vs Sri Lanka match even after the interruption due to choking smog.
The bench added:
“Every newspaper has been carrying headline that the air pollution was going to be higher this week. Still you took no action. Even the players were playing match wearing masks. You should have not held the match if the air quality was so bad.Are people of Delhi supposed to bear this?”
“You want exemptions for two-wheelers but you don’t apply your mind that these 60 lakh vehicles cause the maximum pollution,” it said.
It also said that despite stating before the tribunal that 4,000 buses would be introduced to decongest the city roads, the city government has not a single bus even after three years of assurance.
The AAP government was ordered by the Tribunal to submit an action plan on tackling pollution on November 28. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan were also asked to do the same.