Following is the chronology of events on pleas including the 1984 PIL of environmentalist M C Mehta that today led to issuance of a slew of measures by Supreme Court including ban on registration of diesel-run SUVs and cars with engine capacity of 2000 CC and above:
*Oct 1, 2015: SC agrees to hear a plea for levy of green cess, also called Environmental Compensation Charge (ECC), in addition to the municipal toll to be levied from commercial vehicles entering Delhi.
*Oct 5: SC terms level of air pollution in Delhi as "alarming".
* Oct 8: SC decides to peruse a NGT order directing the payment of ECC by trucks entering Delhi.
* Oct 9: SC favours levy of ECC on commercial vehicles criss-crossing Delhi.
* Oct 12: SC, on trial basis, imposes ECC, ranging from Rs 700 to Rs 1300, on commercial vehicles entering Delhi.
* Oct 28: SC agrees to hear a toll collecting firm's plea, citing inability to collect the court-mandated ECC.
* Nov 16: SC refuses to change even a single word of its order imposing ECC.
It warns of contempt proceedings to toll collector if ECC is not collected as per its order.
* Dec 10: SC agrees to examine amicus curiae Harish Salve's suggestions including banning entry of all diesel-run trucks, except those carrying essential goods, into Delhi.
* Dec 16: SC passes detailed directions. Bans registration of diesel-run SUVs and cars, doubles ECC and orders conversion of all Delhi-NCR taxis into CNG.
It now fixes matters for hearing on January 5 when it may consider suggestions of Delhi government including the "odd- even" traffic policy.
