NGT allows vintage car rally in Delhi

New Delhi: In a relief to vintage cars connoisseurs, the National Green Tribunal Friday agreed to make a one-time exception to its order which had banned all vehicles older than 15 years from plying on Delhi roads.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar granted its nod for the 6th edition of 21 Gun Salute International Vintage car rally in the national capital on February 6 and 7.

The green panel, however, made it clear that this rally was being permitted as a one-time event and in future it will not allow such events without hearing them on merits.

It also asked the rally organisers to file an undertaking stating that this is a charity event and they have made all requisite preparations.

"Prima facie, we are against running of such vehicles and you are totally barred by our order... However, we permit this rally as a one-time event on February 6 and 7 for three hours," the bench said.

The order came on a plea filed by Madan Mohan, founder trustee of the 21 Gun Salute Heritage and Cultural Trust and organiser of "21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Auto Show".

The petition had sought exemption of NGT's November 26, 2014 order banning from Delhi roads cars which were over 15 years old, thus disqualifying vintage cars from participating in any rally.

During the hearing, advocate ADN Rao, appearing for the petitioner, said the rally was being organised from Red Fort to Greater Noida and all the preparations in this regard have already been made.

Seeking nod for the rally, he told the tribunal that even the money received from the car rally would be used for social causes and for welfare of spastic children.

Around 100 vintage cars and 25 vintage bikes will go from Red Fort to Greater Noida and around 50,000 people are expected to participate.

The petitioner had moved NGT after the Supreme Court said that it has not put any bar on the tribunal to hear matters relating to air pollution.

Last year, NGT had allowed Fifth Edition of 21 Gun Salute International and said, "We make it clear that none of the vintage cars would be otherwise permitted on the roads of NCR and Delhi nor any authority would issue fitness certificates to them without specific order of the tribunal."