New Delhi, Sept. 14 (PTI): The National Green Tribunal on Thursday dismissed the Union government’s plea seeking modification of its order banning ten-year-old diesel vehicles in Delhi and the National Capital Region.

The NGT noted that emissions from diesel vehicles are carcinogenic and one diesel vehicle causes pollution equivalent to 24 petrol vehicles or 40 CNG vehicles.

A bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar rejected the government's plea on the ground that the Supreme Court has also junked a similar plea.

The NGT said the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, which had sought modification of the NGT's April 7, 2015, order, did not file any review plea and moved the Tribunal “in the guise of seeking modification”.

The bench also had Justices Jawad Rahim, R.S. Rathore and one expert member, B.S. Sajwan.

The Centre had earlier opposed the ban, saying there was a “misconception” that only diesel pollutes the environment.

The tribunal, noting that diesel is the prime source of air pollution in Delhi, had earlier said that the government should not allow diesel vehicles more than 10 years old to ply in Delhi-NCR.

The Green panel had issued an order last year directing the Delhi RTO to deregister all such diesel vehicles.

The NCR includes the National Capital Territory of Delhi and 23 districts in the adjoining states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.