Teacher moves NGT seeking ban on sale of Volkswagen vehicles

A city-based school teacher has moved the National Green Tribunal against the Indian arm of German automobile firm Volkswagen seeking a ban on sale of its vehicles in the country as it allegedly flouted emission norms.
Referring to Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)'s recent report, the petition alleged Volkswagen and its group companies in India were "polluting the environment in blatant disregard to regulations" by selling vehicles which produce nitrogen oxide nine times higher than prescribed limit.
The petitioner, Saloni Ailawadi, has sought directions to disallow "manufacturing, assembly and sale" of vehicles manufactured by Volkswagen and its group companies until it is established that they are as per the prescribed norms as applicable in India.

Ailawadi states she was "deeply" concerned on account of Volkswagen's "admitted calculated and deliberate deceit of environmental norms thereby endangering lives of Indian and global citizens".
"Vehicles manufactured and sold by Volkswagen have been polluting the environment in blatant and utter disregard to government regulations thereby endangering the lives of millions of people who are being forced to inhale poisonous fumes and suffer extreme misery on account of ill health," the plea said.
The petition has made Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board, Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd, Skoda Auto India Private Limited and Volkswagen Group Sales India Private Limited parties in the case.

"Direct thorough inspection of vehicles being imported and sold by Volkswagen in India after their import and to disallow any further sale of such vehicles until and unless it is established that the same are not in contravence of statutory and prescribed norms as applicable in India," the plea said.

Earlier, the government had issued notice to Volkswagen after ARAI found significant variations" in on-road emission levels in the diesel models of Jetta, Octavia, Audi A4 and Audi A6 in India.
Volkswagen has already admitted that 11 million diesel engine cars worldwide were fitted with the software that helped in manipulating emission tests.

Reacting to the development, Volkswagen India spokesperson said "Volkswagen India has not received any communication from The National Green Tribunal on this matter.