Supreme Court reprimands MCD on pollution in Delhi-NCR, says, ‘Don’t want this money, stop toll’
Taking a serious stand on the increasing pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court has given a big suggestion to the MCD. The court said that serious consideration should be given to stopping toll collection from October 1 to January 31 next year, because due to jam at toll plazas, the engines of vehicles keep running continuously and this increases emissions. The Court believes that during the winter months, when air levels are already dangerous, traffic jams and toll-stoppages increase pollution manifold. Therefore, toll-free period can be an effective step to control pollution.
Taking a tough stand on pollution, the Supreme Court has directed the MCD to shift the toll booths and asked it to take a decision on it within a week. The court also suggested that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) could alternatively collect the toll and its share could be given to the MCD. During the hearing, the court expressed its displeasure at the MCD and remarked that if you are only concerned about revenue, then tomorrow you will start collecting toll in Connaught Place also. The court clarified that pollution control is a priority and the traffic jam caused by toll is a major reason for it.
During the hearing, the court was made aware of the major problems which are causing increasing pollution in Delhi-NCR. Among these, the MCD toll plaza located in Delhi-Gurugram was cited as one of the important reasons. The court was told that this toll leads to hours-long traffic jams, and continuous smoke from cars, bikes and other vehicles parked on the road for long periods, which seriously increases pollution.
Chief Justice Surya Kant expressed his displeasure during the hearing and asked why the officials do not ask the MCD to stop toll collection till January. CJI reprimanded the MCD and said, “Tomorrow, for money, you will start imposing toll inside Connaught Place also?” He further said, “We do not want your income being lost like this, but these toll plazas lead to litigation cases. We want a concrete plan to keep the toll plazas closed from October 1 to January 31 next year.”
The lawyer told the court that due to MCD toll, Gurugram also faces the problem of serious pollution and traffic jams. On this, Chief Justice Surya Kant said that this is not an allegation, but a bitter truth with which people are struggling daily. He commented that the effect of long traffic jams at toll is so much that people hesitate to go to weddings because they are afraid of traffic jams.
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