Only CNG cabs allowed to ply in Delhi: HC

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath issued notices to the Central and Delhi governments as well as the city traffic police seeking their replies on the petition of Uber, which runs an app-based taxi service in the National Capital by using All India Tourist Permit (AITP) cabs running on diesel. “You will need to behave in accordance with regulation”, the courtroom stated, including that “since Delhi authorities has come out with a few scheme, why do not you (Ola and Uber) adjust to it?” The single-judge order was challenged by Ola before a division bench.

“App-based cab companies should not hide behind the garb of aggregators or developer of digital technology”.

Uber had applied under the modified Radio Taxi Scheme, but the government rejected their application on 1 September, 2015, saying they have to apply under the new City Taxi Scheme, its petition said.

“We can not trace the vehicles as there is no external identification on them”, said Naushad Ahmed Khan, standing counsel for the Delhi government.

After questioning by the court on steps taken by Uber India to switch to CNG vehicles, Rajeev Nayyar, representing the company, said, “It can not happen overnight”.

Thereafter, the court listed the matter for tomorrow by when Nayar has been asked to take instruction from Uber.

Under the new scheme, the definition of “clean fuel” is limited to CNG and LPG.

The court was hearing a plea filed by Association of Radio Taxis, represented by senior advocate Nidesh Gupta, who contended that the court’s order upholding a ban on diesel cabs providing point-to-point service in the national capital was being implemented only against Ola while other app-based taxi services were violating it with impunity.

Nayar stated he wanted time to hunt instruction from Uber on this facet of the time-frame through which they will part out diesel taxis. The scheme was amended after a woman executive was allegedly raped in an Uber cab in December previous year.

The Delhi high court hinted on Tuesday that it may extend to other taxi operators an order it passed on 29 July ordering strict enforcement of a ban on cab hailing service Ola.