SC order on diesel SUVs, luxury cars in Delhi

The Supreme Court on Wednesday imposed a ban on registration of diesel cars with over 2000 cc engine in Delhi till March 31, 2016.

Restricting the entry of commercial vehicles which are not Delhi bound, a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur also ordered 100 per cent hike of the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) being levied on light and heavy trucks using Delhi roads.

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

On being asked by the court, Salve said that the Central government said that it will not be introduced before 2020 as it involves revamping of refineries to produce compatible fuel. Indications are that registration of diesel vehicles having engine capacity of more than 2000cc will be banned. It also banned trucks from entering New Delhi if they’re over 10 years old or are transiting through the city.

“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.

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.

Air Pollution Control Commission to take stock of pollution level, verify impact of Court’s orders.

In a major step towards curbing growing air pollution in Delhi, the apex court announced several measures, including an order that all taxis in Delhi must be converted to CNG and that the pollution surcharge shall be doubled. Existing diesel cars can continue to ply.

“We believe the news is likely to have negative impact on M&M as about 95% of its passenger vehicle portfolio is above the 2,000 cc range”, said the brokerage. Paris plans similar action in future to cut diesel exhaust fumes which are considered more harmful than petrol ones. Even as large trucks could be charged Rs 2,600, mild business vehicles (LCVs) need to shell out Rs 1,400. “One must note, Toyota’s own bestselling Fortuner and Innova account for big sales in Delhi”, Vikram Kirloskar, Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, told NDTV.