NGT bans plying of diesel vehicles over 10 years across corporation areas in Kerala State [Read Order]

The special circuit bench of National Green Tribunal(NGT) at Ernakulam has today issued an order banning the use of diesel vehicles in the corporation areas of the Kerala state which are over 10 years old. The ban applies to vehicles plying in cities of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur, Calicut and Kannur respectively.

The interim order was passed by a bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar in an application filed by Lawyers' Environmental Awareness Forum (LEAF). The bench also directed the respondent, State of Kerala not to register any diesel vehicle forthwith above capacity of 2000 CC except public transport and Local Authority vehicle.

The order has been issued taking into consideration the earlier order passed by the principal bench of the tribunal at Delhi in Vardhman Kaushik as well as judgment of apex court in M.C Mehta’s case.

The tribunal also ordered that a fine of Rs 5,000 be imposed if the older diesel vehicles are run after 30 days, violating this order. The tribunal has further directed the State to inform the availability of CNG gas for running of vehicles in the entire State.

Read the order here.