The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to shift or close nine toll plazas which are being operated by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
SC seeks urgent action
The top court’s observation came as a step to reduce the air pollution which is in the “severe” category. A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asked NHAI to come up with a decision within a week.
The Apex Court asked the NHAI to consider shifting or adding toll plazas established and operated by them in the outskirts of NCR where it could take up the activity of collecting tolls.
Vehicles stuck for hours
After the bench was told that vehicles got stuck on borders for hours, the SC asked the MCD to consider shutting down those toll-plazas for a three-to four-month period (from October-January) when the air-pollution levels are at their highest.
SC calls pollution measures temporary
“The short-term measures are only to provide temporary protection to children and elderly persons. These are purely interim policy decisions. At best, they can be viewed as an extension of vacations, as schools are anyway scheduled to remain closed for 10 to 15 days during the winter,” the Court observed.
Additionally, considering increasing levels, the Supreme Court allowed the Delhi government to take action against owners who are using vehicles below the BS IV (Bharat Stage 4) emission standard in the NCR region.
