Vintage car connoisseurs seek NGT nod for rally

Vintage cars connoisseurs today moved the National Green Tribunal seeking its nod to organise a car rally in the city.
The plea moved before a bench headed by NGT chief Justice Swatanter Kumar has sought the green panel's permission to organise the seventh edition of 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally.
75 vintage and classic cars from India, 15 cars and 25 bikes from all over the world are planned to be on display. Exclusive 'maharaja' cars are also scheduled to participate in the three-day event.
The tribunal has posted the matter for hearing on January 27.
The plea filed by Madan Mohan, founder trustee of the 21 Gun Salute Heritage and Cultural Trust and organiser of "21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Auto Show" proposes to hold the event in Delhi from February 17-19 to raise funds for spastic children.

The rally, with the theme of 'Motivation is what keeps you going', is scheduled to be flagged off from the historic Red Fort on February 17 and culminate at Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida, followed by a ceremonial drive, the plea said.

"The application is being filed for the clarification or exemption from the order of the NGT dated November 26, 2014 with regard to its applicability to vintage car rally for participation in the the seventh edition of "21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours Show 2017" to be held from February 17 to 19, 2017...
"It is pertinent to mention here that in the rallies held in the past, spastic and blind children have been associated and have also benefited from the same as they not only took part in the rally but also received part of the proceeds from the organisers of the rally. In the rally, spastic children and blind children will be associated," the plea, filed through advocate P V Raghunandan, said.

The petition has sought exemption from the NGT's November 26, 2014 order which had banned from Delhi roads cars which were over 15 years old, thus disqualifying vintage cars from participating in any rally.
The tribunal earlier on two occasions has allowed fifth and sixth editions of 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and relaxed the ban, saying, "We make it clear that none of the vintage cars would be otherwise permitted on the roads of NCR, Delhi nor any authority would issue fitness certificates to them without specific order of the tribunal.