NEW DELHI: The ministry of environment, forest and climate change has submitted to National Green Tribunal (NGT) that its role in curbing vehicular emissions is "limited" and confined to framing of air quality standards.

"The role of MoEFCC is limited to evolving/framing air quality standards under the mandate of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. In the present context, it is submitted that the ministry of road transport and highways is the authority concerned, as per business allocation rules, administering the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act and the rules framed for vehicular emission standards under the MV Act, 1988," the ministry said.

The submissions came in an affidavit filed by MoEFCC special secretary Shashi Shekhar in a case against high air pollution levels in the city. NGT had directed Union ministries and Delhi government departments to submit their views on banning of more than 10-year-old diesel vehicles, hiking parking fee, capping the total registration of vehicles in the city and other interventions.

The ministry said the revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards had been notified by it on November 16, 2009 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, based on the studies undertaken by Central Pollution Control Board in association with IIT-Kanpur.

"The ministry had consulted the state governments of NCR...on April 6 and April 13 under environment minister Prakash Javadekar and prepared a plan. The plan says vehicles without PUC certificate will be challaned, lane discipline will be maintained, congestion due to breakdown of vehicles will be minimized, U-turns be provided at entry of interstate borders and congestion due to waterlogging will be curbed," the affidavit said.