The Supreme Court has clarified the scope of enforcement against older vehicles in the National Capital Region, allowing authorities to take action against diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old if they meet Bharat Stage III emission norms or lower.
What does the new order state?
According to Bar and Bench, in an order passed on Wednesday, the court modified its August 12 directive, which had temporarily barred coercive action against end-of-life vehicles in Delhi-NCR. The modification makes it clear that the protection will now apply only to vehicles that meet BS-IV emission standards or newer, regardless of age.
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A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi said that no coercive steps should be taken against BS-IV and newer vehicles solely on the basis of their age. However, vehicles with BS-III or older emission standards will once again be subject to enforcement action, including impounding.
(Also Read: Delhi Pollution Leads To Ban On All BS3, BS4 Cars, Only BS6 Permitted)
Why has the Supreme Court reversed its earlier order on ELVs?
The clarification came after the Delhi government sought changes to the earlier order, citing worsening air quality and enforcement challenges on the ground. Appearing for the government, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati argued that older vehicles with lower emission standards were contributing disproportionately to pollution and were back on the roads due to the August order.
{{/usCountry}}The clarification came after the Delhi government sought changes to the earlier order, citing worsening air quality and enforcement challenges on the ground. Appearing for the government, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati argued that older vehicles with lower emission standards were contributing disproportionately to pollution and were back on the roads due to the August order.
{{/usCountry}}The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) also flagged the issue, noting that the blanket protection had made it difficult for state authorities to act against higher-polluting vehicles. The commission warned that exempting such vehicles was adding to the overall pollution load in the region.
The Centre supported the modification, stating that the temporary relief was being misused by owners of vehicles that remain otherwise prohibited under Delhi-NCR pollution control rules.
(Also Read: Delhi Pollution: AI Cameras To Track PUCC Violations In Delhi, Fuel Ban For Non-Compliant Vehicles)
Delhi bans entry of non-BS6 vehicles
The order comes a day after Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that only BS-VI compliant private vehicles will be allowed entry into Delhi-NCR starting Thursday. Under that decision, privately registered vehicles from outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI norms will be barred from entering the region.