The National Green tribunal, Eastern Zone Bench has directed the West Bengal Government to phase out all vehicles older than 15 years within 6 months

In a recent case, the National Green Tribunal (“NGT”), Eastern Zone Bench has directed that all the commercial and private vehicles older than 15 years in the State of West Bengal including the cities of Kolkata and Howrah be phased out in the next 6 months.

As regard to the phasing out of old vehicles is concerned, the applicant of this case pointed out that although the original direction was passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta on 08.07.2008 regarding the same subject and the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal, Eastern Zone Bench passed equivalent orders on 11.08.2016 and on 01.10.2020, still there are a huge number of vehicles ( both commercial and non-commercial) which are regularly plying on the roads of West Bengal. In this regard, the NGT has opined that an exact time frame is necessary for implementing the phasing out of old vehicles effectively.

The NGT has further directed that while phasing out of the old vehicles, a move towards use of cleaner and greener technology with the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Buses/Electric buses should be expedited.

A copy of the order has been attached for your reference.

Source : National Green Tribunal, Eastern Zone