Providing some temporary relief to public vehicle operators as well as private players, the National Green Tribunal today has extended the stay on ban of diesel vehicles older than 10 years in the Delhi region till May 25.

However, the NGT further observed that the ban was still impending.

On April 13, the NGT first put a stay order for two weeks on its directive to impound 10-year-old diesel vehicles plying in the city. Then on May 1, the stay was extended till May 18, and it slammed the concerned authorities for not coming out with suggestions to reduce air pollution. Meanwhile, the Centre is opposing the ban on 10-year-old vehicles, but has said the ban on 15-year-old vehicles could be applied. In April last year, NGT observed that diesel was the prime source of air pollution in Delhi and held that all diesel vehicles that were over 10 years old would not be permitted to ply in Delhi.

Separately, in response to a plea raising concerns over air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas, NGT in November last year banned all diesel or petrol vehicles older than 15 years from plying in the capital.

NISHANT PAREKH