SC may double green charge

New Delhi, Dec 15: The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that it may double the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) on commercial vehicles using the tiol capital as transit for their onward journey to other destitions to curb the capital’s alarming pollution levels. A bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice A.K.Sikri and Justice R. Banumathi said that it would double the ECC at the conclusion of nearly three-hour-long hearing on the steps that can be taken to reduce the air pollution in Delhi which has assumed alarming proportions. The order will be passed on Wednesday. The apex court had on October 9 imposed an ECC of Rs.700 on light vehicles and two-axle trucks and Rs.1,300 on three and four-axle trucks entering the tiol capital in the course of their onward journey. If the court, as it indicated on Tuesday doubles the charge, then light vehicles and two-axle trucks would be paying Rs.1,400 and three- and four-axle trucks Rs.2,600 for passing through the capital.

The court’s order on Wednesday is likely to deal with suggestion to ban registration of vehicles with engine capacity of over 2,000 cc, banning entry of commercial vehicles registered prior to 2005, plying of CNG cabs only, ban on the burning of waste including municipal waste, steps to control the dust level in the city and the introduction of BS IV emission norms. (IANS)