Despite NGT relief, selling old vehicles might not be that easy

The green court ruled that old diesel cars can only in areas where the dispersion of air is high and vehicular density is low.

Selling your old diesel vehicle to a suitable buyer outside Delhi might not be easy.

The green court on Wednesday had stated that owners of old diesel cars can sell their vehicles outside Delhi-NCR. (Burhaan Kinu/ HT file photo)

The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday had provided some relief to owners of old diesel cars by allowing them to sell their vehicles outside Delhi-NCR. The order, however, came with an added condition.

The green court ruled that old diesel cars can only in areas where the dispersion of air is high and vehicular density is low. The Regional Traffic Offices (RTO) have in turn been instructed to issue No Objection Certificates for the sale of these vehicles only for such areas.

Wednesday’s order on these vehicles read: “We clarify that in terms of the orders of the tribunal, every state has to identify areas where the dispersion of air is higher and vehicular density is low. If the states have not done it so far, we grant them one last opportunity to identify such areas and put them on their respective websites. The RTOs in Delhi will issue NOC for transfer of these vehicles only for such areas which are identified by the states.”

The states are yet to upload information about such areas on their websites, as per the directions of the tribunal.

Environmentalists question move

Some transport and pollution experts, including those from the Centre for Science and Environment, have questioned the move, wondering why Delhi’s most polluted vehicles should be allowed to ply elsewhere.

Lawyers of applicants in the air pollution case, however, supported the green court’s move and said it was not problematic.

“We are happy with the order. The NGT is not allowing the sale of unfit vehicles nor of those that have Bharat Stage I and II emission standards. These vehicles need to be scrapped. Once the fuel quality improves to BS VI across the country, things will improve,” said Salik Shafique, one of the lawyers in the case.