Frequent traffic jams and worsening ambient air quality near Kaushambi township on the Delhi border has prompted the National Green Tribunal to direct the Uttar Pradesh government to take immediate steps for reducing vehicular congestion in the area and consider introduction of CNG buses.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also directed the state's Transport Secretary to hold a meeting with officials of Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation in this regard and deliberate on the mechanism to decongest the area near Kaushambi bus depot.
"We direct the Secretary, Transport State of Uttar Pradesh to hold a meeting with the Transport Corporation of the state, local authorities particularly of the area in question and to evolve the modalities which should be adopted for reducing traffic congestion at Kaushambi Bus Depot and would also consider the suggestion on introducing CNG buses in cities like Ghaziabad," the bench said.
The order came after a committee headed by Central Pollution Control Board told the bench that particulate matter (PM10 and PM 2.5) in the ambient air was much in excess than the prescribed limits.
"In the report it has been pointed out that there are serious environmental issues and the present environmental degradation is attributable to various public authorities as well as administration.
"They had monitored the ambient air quality from different stations at different locations PM10 and PM 2.5 have been found to be much in excess to the prescribed limits. For instance the PM10 has been found to be between 220 and 312 against the value of 100. Similarly, the PM 2.5 has been excessive from 92 to 204 at different against the value of 60," the bench noted.
Taking strong note of air pollution near the Kaushambi Bus Terminal on the Delhi border, the tribunal had imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on the public authorities in Ghaziabad for "failing to discharge their statutory duties".
The green panel was hearing a petition filed by Kaushambi Apartments Residents Welfare Association which had contended that the presence of two bus terminus (Anand Vihar and Kaushambi) within 200 metres of each other has aggravated air pollution in the area.
