Odd-even misdirected, enforce pollution norms: PIL in HC

On a day the second phase of the odd-even scheme was announced, a PIL was on Thursday moved in the High Court alleging that the government has "maliciously misdirected themselves" to cut the number of vehicles on road instead of enforcing pollution control rules.

The petition by NGO 'Campaign for People Participation in Development Planning' alleges that the rise in vehicle- generated air pollution in Delhi was due to "non-enforcement and non-implementation" of the 1988 Motor Vehicle Act, which prescribes punishment for driving a polluting vehicle.

The petition filed through advocate Anil Aggarwal has claimed that pollution tests carried out at the checking centres were a "sham" and pollution under control (PUC) certificates were being "casually issued" with the knowledge of the government and its agencies.

"Instead of checking vehicles and stopping the offending vehicle from being driven on road, the respondents, who are guilty of dereliction of duty on their part to enforce and implement section 190, maliciously misdirected themselves to cut the number of vehicle on road by prohibiting even and odd numbered vehicles from being driven on alternate days, in manner and terms contrary to the very object and purpose of the Act," said the petition, which named the Centre and Lt Governor as respondents.