The National Green Tribunal Circuit Bench on Monday banned light and heavy diesel vehicles that are more than a decade old. Six major cities including the capital Thiruvananthapuram and the commercial capital Kochi have put under the diesel ban.
“All the diesel vehicles whether light or heavy which are more than 10 years shall not be permitted to ply on the roads in the major cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur,” the Bench said in its order.
The state is likely to implement the rules strictly within next 30 days and violators shall pay a total sum of Rs.5000 as an environmental compensation. This policy will be totally looked after by the Kerala Traffic Police and the pollution control department.
It said both State police and pollution control board shall maintain separate account in this regard and directed that the funds shall be utilized for betterment of environment in these cities.
The forum sought action against Diesel vehicles with high pollution capacity especially the trucks and busses.
Earlier, Acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court Thottathil B Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Kochi Special Circuit Bench of the NGT at a function in presence of Justice Swatanter Kumar and other eminent jurists.
Twinkle Jain
Principal Correspondent
