SC bans new diesel-driven luxury cars, SUVs in Delhi

Among those likely to be hit by the Supreme Court’s banning the registration of all diesel sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and luxury cars with engine capacity of 2000 cc or more is the Delhi Police.

For the ordinary person, the effects of pollution in New Delhi are palpable: grey, overladen skies, difficulty in breathing and the smell of vehicle exhaust that pervades the air.

The Supreme Court has said that diesel cars are sending out toxic fumes, and therefore, it was being forced to impose a ban on registration of 2000 cc and over vehicles.

The National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court has confirmed a ban on the sale of new diesel vehicles in the national capital.

It also said that for the time being commercial vehicles that are not Delhi bound shall not be allowed to enter Delhi through National Highway 8 and NH 1.

Accepting the suggestions placed by senior advocate Harish Salve, who is assisting the court in this matter, the bench directed the Delhi government to take “immediate steps for fix of pavements and make pavements wherever the same are missing and also to take immediate steps for procurement of the requisite vacuum cleaning vehicles for use on Delhi roads expeditiously” and fixed the deadline of March 31, 2016.

In other measures, the Supreme Court ordered authorities to strictly enforce the ban on burning of municipal waste in the capital.

It will hear petition for banning diesel auto from plying on Delhi’s road, including 13 cities to tackle growing menace of pollution in the country.

Environmentalists said they were pleased with the court’s orders. “If you believe this is the way forward, then go ahead and implement”, the court told the Delhi government. Recently, the government of Delhi has proposed the odd-even vehicle numbers to be allowed on the alternate days which is still known only by the Government of Delhi. The apex court also made it clear that the toll collectors shall put in place Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems at their own costs at nine main entry points in the city by November 30 and by January 31, 2016 at all the remaining 118 entry points to the city.