SC Pollution Control: Mulls Ban on Diesel Trucks Beyond 2000 cc

The final order for the same will come out tomorrow around 10.30 am.

Earlier in the day, the National Green Tribunal also asked the Delhi government and the central government to take a stand on what were the polluting agents and what was being done about them.

In another important hearing, the National Green Tribunal will hear a plea seeking modification of its December 12 order that said no new diesel vehicles will be registered in Delhi.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated to ban the registration of diesel vehicles in Delhi with engine capacity of more than 2000cc for three months from January next year on a trial basis.

The court’s directive, which the automakers’ group has said could derail the industry, comes as the Delhi state government prepares to restrict the number of cars on its roads by implementing license plate-based driving bans starting January 1. “We are saddled with stocks of 2015 which would be hard to dispose in 2016 due the order passed by NGT”, Misra said.

He asked the tribunal to modify the order so that the existing stocks of diesel cars be sold as this was the month for giving massive discounts and high sale was expected.

The green panel, however, said that a similar matter was scheduled for hearing in Supreme Court so it will not be proper for it to pass any directions.

“People’s life is at stake and you are interested in selling cars”, the judge said, addressing auto dealers, who fiercely oppose the ban first suggested by India’s environment court last week.

Amicus curiae (friend of court) in the case, Harish Salve, pressed for a complete diesel ban and imposition of a one-time charge on purchase of diesel vehicles, saying that they were the biggest cause of pollution.

More than 1,400 new cars are added every day to the 8.5 million vehicles on Delhi’s roads, contributing to a hazardous blanket of smog.