SC stays NGT direction calling for Delhi airport vehicles to run on CNG

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice in a petition challenging a part of a National Green Tribunal (NGT) judgment, which mandated that all vehicles plying at Delhi Airport must run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

In effect, the vacation bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Navin Sinha stayed the operation of direction 7 of the NGT judgment.

The Federation of Indian Airlines and a group of airline catering companies had challenged the NGT judgment to the above-mentioned extent, arguing that no reasons were given for the said direction. It was further submitted that a host of different types of vehicles were plying in airports, some of which could not run on CNG.

The airline caterers had submitted that they were not parties to the matter before the NGT, and since certain categories of vehicles could not be converted into CNG, the direction would cause operational disruptions to the service of meals on flights. In its judgment, the NGT had given time till May 24 for all vehicles in airports to be converted to CNG.

The Federation of Indian Airlines was represented by Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who was instructed by a team from Phoenix Legal led by Partner Mrinal Ojha, as well as advocates Jasmeet Singh and Naman Joshi. The airline catering companies were represented by Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul and advocate Shikhil Suri, who were instructed by Saikrishna Associates. Managing Partner of Link Legal Atul Sharma appeared for Delhi International Airport Limited.