NGT Asks 8 States to Provide Pollution Information in 3 Weeks

States will be required to submit data on dust and vehicular pollution, and about their two most polluted cities.

File photo of pollution on the roads of New Delhi. (Photo: AP)

On Tuesday, the National Green Tribunal gave eight states three more weeks to provide information on pollution levels in their respective cities. States will be required to submit data on vehicular pollution, pollution from dust and burning and data on their two most polluted cities.

The tribunal also confirmed that it would not implement a country-wide diesel ban. This comes a week after the NGT banned banned light and heavy diesel vehicles older than 10 years in six cities in Kerala.

The Additional Solicitor General of India Pinky Anand had asked that a long-term solution be found to curb pollution.

About 8 percent FDI under ‘Make in India’ has come from the auto industry. The sector also generates employment opportunities. There must be a broad plan for long, short and medium term to curb pollution.

Vehicular pollution is not the sole cause and cars above 2000 cc are not the major source.

Auto Manufacturers Association

The next hearing is scheduled for 11 July.

(Read the original story on indiatoday.in)