Uber, Ola, TaxiForSure flouting laws; NGT seeks govt's reply

New Delhi, May 15: A Delhi resident's plea alleging that diesel powered inter-state taxis operating in the national capital were violating Supreme Court directive today led the National Green Tribunal to seek the response of the city government in the matter.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notice to Delhi government and radio taxi operators -- ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd, Serendipity Infolabs Pvt Ltd and Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd -- seeking their replies by July 3.

ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd aggregates taxis under the

brand, while Serendipity Infolabs Pvt Ltd provides cabs under TaxiForSure and Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd runs Uber.

The court was hearing a plea filed by Delhi resident Davinder Pal Singh against pollution caused by the "illegal" usage and plying of diesel taxis like Uber, Ola and TaxiForSure bearing All India Tourist Permit, as local taxis within the Delhi-NCR region.

Singh has contended that diesel vehicles used for public transport affect air quality and therefore, all commercial vehicles including local taxis operating in Delhi are required to be run only on clean fuel mode as per the apex court order.

"All commercial vehicles including local taxis operating in Delhi are required to be run only on clean fuel mode i.e. CNG (single fuel) mode as per the directions of Supreme Court," the plea, filed through advocate Pankaj Vivek, said.

The petition contended that the judgment of the apex court was passed with a view to check rapid deterioration of air quality in Delhi which has been becoming a health hazard.

"In Delhi, registration of diesel vehicles for commercial use is permitted only if they apply for and obtain All India Tourist Taxi permits in order to use it for inter city business as CNG may not be available in locations outside NCR region," the plea said.

PTI