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Delhi pollution: EPCA lifts construction ban, NGT to review Friday

Delhi pollution: EPCA lifts construction ban, NGT to review Friday

EPCA wants parking charge to be taken off

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The four-fold hike in parking fees was also lifted

In a surprise move, the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) today issued a direction to remove ban on entry of trucks and construction activities in Delhi.

The four-time hike in parking fees was withdrawn by the EPCA.

The Delhi government had written a letter to the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday requesting the parking fee be withdrawn.

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In the letter, the Delhi government had said: "Hiking the parking charges by DMRC would mean commuters who would otherwise park their vehicles in DMRC parking and use the Metro are likely to travel in their own vehicle."

The letter said Lt Governor's decision to enhance parking charges "appeared to have been taken in haste", adding,"it has resulted in commuters parking on the roadside, leading to shrinking of road space for driving."

"The decision to hike parking charges hasn't fulfilled the desired objective," the letter said.

Last week, the EPCA had directed the Delhi government to intensify public transport service to ensure there are more buses on the road as pollution dipped alarmingly in the national capital.

The pollution control body had also advised the Delhi government to implement the odd-even scheme for private vehicles however the NGT refused to allow exemptions to women drivers andgovernment vehicles, as a result, the Kejriwal government decided to drop the scheme.

Meanwhile, the NGT has directed all schools and colleges in Delhi to install the rainwater harvesting systems within two months. The tribunal has decided to impose a fine of Rs 5 lakh if schools fail to implement the water system.

The National Green Tribunal on Thursday also directed the Delhi government to submit data of ambient air quality and said it would consider lifting its ban on construction and industrial activity in the National Capital Region (NCR) on that basis.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said that it would take up the matter on Friday and till then its order would be in force.