SC lifts ban on large diesel vehicles in Delhi, imposes 1% cess

The Supreme Court lifted a ban on the registration of large diesel cars across the national capital region on Friday, but imposed a 1% cess aimed at cleaning up Delhi’s foul air.

The Supreme Court lifted a ban on the registration of large diesel cars across the national capital region on Friday but imposed a 1% cess aimed at cleaning up Delhi’s foul air.

Heavy traffic jam at Delhi-Gurgaon expressway. Last December, the apex court had clamped the ban, a measures to clean up the Capital’s air that is among the worst in the world. (Parveen Kumar/HT File Photo)

The SC also indicated that it will create a broader mechanism to check air pollution by diesel vehicles, saying it will decide later on whether to increase the cess or impose it on smaller cars.

The decision came four days after German carmaker Mercedes told the top court that it was ready to charge 1% environment cess on the cost of its vehicles to get rid of the ban on registering vehicles with an engine capacity of more than 2,000 cc.

Last December, the apex court had clamped the ban, one among a raft of judicial measures to clean up the Capital’s air that is among the worst in the world. The ban was to remain in place for three months but was extended indefinitely.

Major car manufacturers and the Centre had sought relaxation from the Supreme Court, which on July 4 reserved its order, indicating that such vehicles may be allowed to be registered again on payment of 1% of the ex-showroom price as environmental cess.

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