M C MEHTA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) With a view to check rapid deterioration of air quality in Delhi, which was becoming a health hazard besides being an environmental enemy, certain directions have been issued by this Court from time to time in the main writ petition.

(2.) On 28th July, 1998, some further directions were issued fixing a time schedule after taking note of the recommendations made by the Bhure Lal Committee. One of the important directions (direction (g)) issued on that date was to the effect that the entire city bus fleet was to be steadily converted to a single fuel mode of CNG by 31-3-2001. Another direction (direction (f)) was to the effect that 'no eight year old buses were to ply except on CNG or other clean fuel after 1st April, 2000'.

(3.) Unfortunately, neither the Governmental authorities nor private bus operators acted seriously or diligently in taking steps for the purposes of complying with the aforsaid directions and this was in spite of the fact that we had issued a strong caution to all concerned in our order dated 28th July, 1998 that failure to comply with the aforesaid directions could render the concerned punishable for committing Contempt of Court.