NGT directs government to study vehicle count in relation to road capacity

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the transport ministry to undertake a study determining the number of vehicles that can be permitted in proportion to the capacity of the roads. The study will be conducted in Delhi but will also help all other major cities.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel stated that illegal parking and encroachments are a major cause of congestion and hence air pollution.

"The question of number of vehicles to be permitted proportionate to the capacity of the roads in a city is vital issue of planning on which a policy is required to be explored in larger interest of environment especially for cities or areas where air quality is not consistent with the norms. This needs to be explored by the Ministry of Transport, Government of India in consultation with the concerned States. It may be advisable to have a Committee of experts on the subject which to examine the issue in time bound manner" the NGT bench said.

The NGT direction came after an application was filed by bus operator Metro Transit Private Limited which stated that large parts of the roads are occupied either by hawkers or illegally parked vehicles which made it difficult to conduct operations, and also are a cause of air pollution. The NGT has asked the transport ministry to submit the report by March 31, 2019 which may be put for consideration by April 2019.