Government today said it will approach Supreme Court "in a day or two" on NGT's ban on over- ten-year-old diesel vehicles in the city, on assurance of which transporters deferred their proposed strike to May 1.
Truckers had earlier threatened to go on strike from midnight tonight to protest against the ban, which had raised fears of a spike in prices of essential commodities and other goods.
Last week, the National Green Tribunal had ordered a ban on plying of all diesel vehicles that are more than ten years old in the national capital, although it stayed today its order for impounding of such vehicles by two weeks.
"We will file an affidavit in the Supreme Court in a day or two seeking more time, as two weeks time by NGT is grossly insufficient. We respect the sentiments of the NGT to control pollution but the issue needs a comprehensive policy and we will seek more time to address it," Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said today.
In a meeting with the truckers' representatives, Gadkari assured them that the government will look into the issue, including on filing of an affidavit seeking more time to implement the ban.
Announcing deferring of their strike after the meeting, truckers' body AIMTC President Bhim Wadhwa told PTI: "We have deferred our strike call from midnight tonight in the national capital region against the NGT order to May 1 after assurances from Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to look into the issue. We are hopeful of a solution."
Gadkari said a comprehensive policy will be prepared in this regard within six months and will be implemented in a time-bound fashion, as he urged the transporters to call off strike.
In addition to seeking more time from the apex court, the government will also explore possibilities of fitting equipment in vehicles to minimise pollution besides promoting bio-fuel, Gadkari said.
"The government may also take the step of framing a new law in Parliament," he told the transporters, while adding that the Centre will also appeal the Delhi government to cooperate in the matter.
