National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed all commercial vehicles to pay environmental tax in addition to the toll tax. The green panel has observed that vehicular pollution is one of the main sources of inferior quality of air in Delhi. In order to curb air pollution, NGt took the decision as Delhi is the Highest polluting city in the world.

Two days ago, the Supreme Court, in a case related to air pollution, had asked the Centre and Delhi government to respond to a plea seeking levy of ‘pollution compensatory charges’, along with toll tax, on commercial vehicles plying in the national capital.

According to NGT:

• The compensation would be payable at the rates of Rs 700 for two-axle vehicles, Rs 1,000 for three-axle and Rs 500 for four-axle and above.
• Nearly 66,000 heavy commercial vehicles enter Delhi daily.
• The bench noted that the charges payable by heavy vehicles at toll tax in Delhi was Rs 600 while in Haryana it is varied from Rs 930 to Rs 1,550 depending on the kind of trucks entering the state.
• The bench also made it clear that all vehicles destined for places other than Delhi shall be diverted at Panipat to take alternate route via NH-71A and NH-71 and exit at Bawal in Haryana.
• the additional amount collected in form of environment compensation by the check posts would be paid to Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) which will maintain a separate account.
• It also directed Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and DPCC to purchase or arrange instruments for checking emission of moving overloaded heavy vehicles.

Test Your Knowledge

When was National Green Tribunal Established?

Who is the present Chairperson of National Green Tribunal?