Delhi HC orders vehicle checks for pollution

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Wednesday directed the city government and traffic police to come up with a "special checking drive" in the capital to ensure that all vehicles carry a valid pollution under control certificate.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Siddharth Mridul was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by an RTI activist raising concern over air pollution in the capital. RTI activist Mahesh K. Gupta sought direction for stricter implementation of pollution check norms. The plea demanded strict action against vehicle owners who do not possess valid pollution certificates. It also sought setting up of more pollution checking units across the capital, saying the present 657 outlets were "insufficient". Pollution checking units at present have a capacity to check about 20 lakh vehicles in three months. This was much less than the total number of vehicles registered with the transport department - which was a staggering 78 lakh in 2013, the plea said. Gupta also informed the court that 3,000 people were dying prematurely in India because of various ailments resulting from air pollution. "Improved and effective implementation of the pollution checking system is necessary to improve air quality in Delhi. The day is not far off when children and senior citizens will have grave health issues. Even the current health data paints a grim picture," the plea said.