Dwarka RTI activist prevails after more than three dozen hearings!
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Dwarka RTI activist prevails after more than three dozen hearings!

NGT finally orders ministry of environment and forests to approve the draft on emission standards for diesel locomotives submitted by the CPCB. The step will ensure that railway engines don't cause pollution.  

Dwarka RTI activist prevails after more than three dozen hearings!

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), in response to the case of SK Goyal from Dwarka vs chairperson, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other organisations, has asked the agencies to set emission standards for diesel locomotives.

It has further directed the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) to quickly approve the draft on emission standards submitted by the (CPCB). A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked the CPCB to upload the guidelines for emission standards on its website as well.

"...we dispose of this application finally with a direction that the guidelines containing locomotive standards will be put up on the website of the CPCB and expeditious efforts shall be made by all the stakeholders, including the ministry of railways, MoEF, CPCB and any other ministries that may be concerned with the same, to approve the final parameters for locomotive engines, after completing the study and then notify the same," said the bench.

RTI activist and present general secretary of Dwarka Forum, Sanjeev Kumar Goel, had filed an RTI on the matter. The case had finally reached the NGT in 2013 through CPCB.

Earlier, NGT vide its order dated November 24, 2014, had constituted a committee comprising senior officers from the ministry of railways, CPCB, ministry of petroleum and IIT Delhi.

The committee was ordered — within a period of six months — to collect data, complete study, specify and prepare the guidelines, which would be duly adopted by all concerned agencies. The implementation was to be ensured by the CPCB.

Talking to City Spidey, he said, “Am happy that the order came — even if after five years! It took more than three dozen hearings and god-knows how many government agencies to get things done! Let's hope the guidelines shall be adhered to by the Indian Railways. India is now among a handful of countries that has such standards. The development will ensure that railway engines don't cause pollution.”