Centre for Science and Environment today criticised Transport Ministry for "selectively" using IIT study to bring home the point that diesel vehicles which are over 10-year-old are small contributors to ambient PM2.5 levels, after NGT extended the stay on the ban of such vehicles in Delhi.
The Green advocacy body said that there is enough evidence to show that older vehicles emit more particulate and toxic gases than the new generation vehicles and will require a plan for quicker phase out.
"This has been used in the official affidavit of the Ministry to the NGT, which says that banning older diesel vehicles will not help. It is trying to play down the problem of vehicular pollution and block the ban on old diesel vehicles," a CSE statement said.
This has come in the wake of the NGT order that had directed all diesel vehicles (heavy or light) which are more than 10 years old, not to be permitted on the roads of NCR, Delhi.
The order stated that the authorities in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT Delhi would not register any diesel vehicle which is more than 10 years old.
CSE said that the Ministry has relied on the Delhi-IIT studies to counter NGT directives and has ignored a range of other evidences in Delhi demanding urgent, stringent and more complete action on vehicular pollution.
"While resorting to number crunching to prove vehicles do not contribute much to ambient PM2.5 levels, the IIT-study and the affidavits are silent on health risks from direct exposure to vehicular fume especially diesel fume which is of bigger concern," the statement said.
While the NGT order covers all old diesel vehicles in both private and commercial segments across NCR, the IIT(D) study focuses only on old cars in Delhi to stop the NGT ban, it said, adding that it has not made any alternative suggestions on how to discourage, restrict and phase out old diesel vehicles that is emerging as a practice globally.
CSE demanded a robust scientific guidance to frame policy for cutting health risks from vehicles including old diesel vehicles as part of the clean air action plan in Delhi and NCR.
