SC Slaps Temporary Ban On New Diesel SUVs, Luxury Cars In Delhi

India’s top court Wednesday ordered a temporary ban on the sale of large diesel vehicles in and around New Delhi and slapped a stiff levy on trucks entering the capital as it struggles with record pollution.

The court also doubled an environment tax on all commercial trucks entering Delhi, and said it would consider an environment congestion charge on all diesel vehicles when it meets again in the new year.

Light duty vehicles carrying goods to pay Rs 1400, instead of Rs 700, and three-axle vehicles Rs 2,600, instead of 1,300 as ECC for entering Delhi.

Other measures include a demand for all taxis in Delhi, mainly those operated by Uber and local rival Ola, to replace diesel with natural gas, as well as a broad, immediate ban on burning solid waste.

Analysts say Maruti Suzuki – India’s biggest carmaker – could be a beneficiary of the partial ban on diesel cars in Delhi as most of its fleet comprises of smaller sized engines and petrol cars. Mahindra confirms that over two percent of total sales come from Delhi and the manufacturer could take a major hit in sales.

Environmentalists said they were pleased with the court’s orders.

It is noteworthy that diesel vehicles of 2000 cc and above and SUVs are generally used by more affluent sections of our society and because of the higher engine capacity are more prone to cause higher levels of pollution.

The Chief Justice Bench has also scheduled hearing for longer term solutions including leapfrogging emissions standards for vehicles to Euro VI while introducing the current emission standards in Delhi nation-wide immediately; action on power plants; and public transport strategy for Delhi and NCR, the statement added. Adding to it, NGT also advised the Delhi Government to stop buying diesel cars.

In his petition, Gupta said: “The data available from the WHO shows that Indian cities are nearly 10 times more polluted than the other cities of the world, which is a serious infraction of the fundamental rights of the citizens of India”. Delhi is the sixth largest market for passenger vehicles; auto makers sold 182,115 vehicles in FY15.

The court also barred thousands of diesel trucks, which only enter the city every night en route to other parts of the country, in order to bypass toll roads around Delhi.

Beijing last week suspended schools, restricted vehicle travel and banned fireworks and outdoor barbecuing as a thick blanket of gray smog enveloped the city.

The bench agreed to the contention that construction activities in Delhi and NCR contribute in the rise of pollution level. “The government needs to work hard to ensure that the court’s decisions are implemented”, Roy Chowdhury said.