SC Modifies NGT Order; Only Buses and Coaches Plying At Airport Need To Be Converted To CNG [Read Order]

The Supreme Court, on Monday, modified the National Green Tribunal order that directed conversion of all vehicles plying at the IGI airport to CNG mode, by confining it to ‘buses and coaches’ only.

NGT had passed several directives in many applications seeking various reliefs against noise pollution that is caused due to takeoffs and landing of aircraft at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

One such direction read:”7. All the coaches/buses and other vehicles plying at the airport should be CNG and must comply with the prescribed emission standards. Non-CNG buses/coaches or other vehicles plying at the airport, should be converted to CNG within six months from today."

Many entities had approached the apex court challenging the said directive, contending that there are various kinds of specialized vehicles which cannot be on CNG mode at all. Earlier the court had granted a stay.

The counsel appearing for Delhi International Airport Ltd. submitted before the court that it is supposed to provide certain fire tender and various kinds of vehicles for quick reaction teams which cannot be also on CNG mode.

A bench of Justice AK Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan then modified the NGT order and said: “In our view, the grievance raised by the appellants seems to be justified. We, therefore, modify Direction No. 7 by removing the words "other vehicles" therefrom, meaning thereby, the direction 3 shall be confined to coaches and buses.”