The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday sought views from five northern states on making Compressed Natural Gas the main fuel for automobiles, PTI reported. The NGT directed the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to file affidavits giving details of cities connected to CNG distribution lines as well as areas with proposed connections.

The environmental body also asked the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) to submit a comprehensive plan for the construction of a distribution pipeline for CNG. It asked the PNGRB to clarify how many cities would be covered by the pipeline as well as provide details of the current status of the use of the fuel in the five states. The matter will be heard next on October 28.

The move comes amid the NGT’s drive to introduce cleaner fuels and lower vehicle-based pollution across the country. On July 18, the Tribunal had ordered for a phase-wise deregistration of diesel vehicles that are 10 to 15 years old in Delhi. It had also banned the entry of such trucks with national permits in the National Capital Region. However, on July 30, the Centre told the NGT that there was no law under which they could ban diesel vehicles more than 15 years old.