Supreme Court Suggests Use Of Remote Sensing Technology In Delhi-NCR to Combat Vehicular Pollution

The Supreme Court on Friday (July 26) suggested the use of remote sensing technology within the National Capital Region (NCR) to combat vehicular pollution and directed the Centre to take a decision on this issue within two months.

A bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice AG Masih directed the Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to immediately convene a meeting with counterparts in the NCR states for this purpose. Copies of the order are to be sent to the NCR authorities to ensure their cooperation.

Highlighting that the issue had been pending for four years, the court stated in its order, “Somewhere a beginning has to be made by commencing the use of remote sensing technology. Therefore, to begin with, it will be appropriate the use of technology can commence in NCR areas.”

MoRTH is to seek cooperation from NCR authorities, and if faced with non-cooperation, the Ministry can approach the court for further instructions.

Amicus Curiae Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh suggested the use of remote sensing technology on July 15 based on Report No. 99 of Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA), dated July 26, 2019, which identified limitations of the PUC test and recommended remote sensing technology as an additional measure.

The court had on August 19, 2019, directed MoRTH and the Law Ministry to take a final decision and file a status report. The report submitted recently was deemed disappointing by the Amicus Curiae Aparajita Singh as the Ministry did not embrace the remote sensing technology suggestion.

The court emphasised that MoRTH should have taken the suggestion of using remote sensing technology for pollution control seriously. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the Ministry would reconsider the suggestion.

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Case no. – Writ Petition (Civil) No. 13029/1985

Case Title – MC Mehta v. Union of India & Ors.

Click Here To Read/Download Order