AIMTC threatens to stop commercial vehicles’ entry in Delhi

According to the AIMTC, officers of the RTO and traffic police were misusing the order to “loot” trucks.

The All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) – an apex body of transporter – threatened that “no commercial vehicle, irrespective of area” will enter Delhi from the midnight of Monday, unless the National Green Tribunal’s takes back the order banning diesel vehicles older than 10 years from plying in the capital.

In its order, the NGT had directed that “diesel vehicles, heavy or light, which are more than 10-years-old will not be permitted on the roads of Delhi.” But the AIMTC, which claims it represents 93 truckers and approximately 50 lakh bus and tourist operators, termed the order “callous and arbitrary”.

“We have paid registration fees at the time of purchasing the commercial vehicles. But presently the same vehicles are being impounded. This is a order that is callous and arbitrary. How can one authority saw a commercial vehicle can operate for 15 years and another say 10,” said Bhim Wadhwa, president, AIMTC, while adding that the Union Transport Ministry would be approaching the NGT soon.

Wadhwa said that almost all goods consumed in Delhi come from outside. “Onions come from Maharashtra, vegetables come from UP, food grains come from Punjab. The road transport fraternity is facing a lot of uncertainty after this order. It is even more surprising because the Supreme Court, in its 1999 order, had allowed vehicles of up to 15 years age to operate,” he added.

According to the AIMTC, officers of the RTO and traffic police were misusing the order to “loot” trucks.

Source:: Indian Express