"The ban on diesel and petrol tourist vehicles would be kept in abeyance for the period of three months from May 15, 2015 to August 15, 2015 as prayed, however, subject to strict compliance...," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.
Restricting the number of vehicles, which will pass through Rohtang Pass for tourism purposes, to 1000 vehicles (600 petrol while 400 would be diesel) per day on first come and first serve basis, the tribunal directed that each vehicle allowed to the region would pay an environmental cess.
"Amount so collected shall be kept in the account under a separate head by the state government and shall be utilised only for the purpose of restoration of ecology and environment in the said eco-sensitive area as per the directions of the Tribunal," the bench said.
It also directed the state government to post a team of Transport Department, police and other departments concerned at Vashist and Gulaba with complete infrastructure and machinery.
"The vehicle permitted to pass through Rohtang Pass to ultimate destination and beyond, shall satisfy emission standards prescribed and it shall not be permitted to carry load in excess of permissible load. Entry records in this regard shall be online and computerised and same shall be produced before the tribunal," it said.
The green panel said that all these vehicles would be subjected to pollution check and would qualify for issuance of a certificate at the check post for compliance of BS-IV standards.