SC halts action against older vehicles in Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 12: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that no coercive measures be taken, for the time being, against owners of diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old in Delhi, reports Bar & Bench.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, with Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria, issued notice to the parties and listed the matter for hearing after four weeks.

The order came in response to an application by the Delhi government seeking a review of the Court’s 2018 ruling that banned such vehicles in the National Capital Region as a pollution control measure. The Delhi government argued that the 2018 directive was not based on any scientific study and that subsequent measures, including Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission norms, wider implementation of Pollution-Under-Control (PUC) certificates, promotion of cleaner fuels, and the adoption of electric vehicles, had reduced pollution levels.

It also said that the ban has caused hardships to owners of compliant vehicles, many of which are sparingly used and contribute minimally to pollution, while also affecting the second-hand car market that serves lower-income families. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, highlighted the uneven impact of the ban and sought protection for vehicle owners. The Court agreed to the interim relief, saying no action should be taken until it reconsiders the matter next month. On July 6, GK also carried a story titled “Do not blame the old vehicles: Clean air needs smarter solutions, not blanket ban suggesting thar a better way forward lies not in bans, but in balance.