Supreme Court Bans Registration of Diesel Cars Over 2000cc in Delhi

In an alarming decision, the Supreme Court today banned registration of diesel-run SUVs and cars having engine capacity beyond 2000 cc in Delhi and National Capital Region till 31st MArch 2016, as a first cautious measure to curb the alarming level of pollution in Delhi.

The apex court had on October 9 imposed an ECC of Rs 700 on light vehicles and two-axle trucks and Rs 1,300 on three and four-axle trucks entering the national capital in the course of their onward journey.

A bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice R. Banumathi said no commercial vehicle registered prior to 2005 would enter Delhi and all taxis would have to switch over to CNG by March 1, 2016.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court has also banned entry of trucks not carrying goods for Delhi from NH8 (Jaipur) and NH1 (Punjab).

Also, it ordered that NGT guidelines to be followed at construction sites be strictly enforced.

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

The Supreme Court said it was mulling a ban on purchases of new diesel vehicles with engines over 2000cc, typical of SUVs, jeeps and large cars made by BMW, Toyota and others.

It has ordered a temporary ban on the sale of large diesel vehicles and stopped trucks more than 10 years old from entering the city. “The Company is in the process of evaluating various options to work within the framework provided by the Honourable Supreme Court”, Mahindra & Mahindra said.

India has 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported previous year. It also doubled the toll for diesel-fueled trucks that enter the city, raising it to 2,600 rupees ($39).

Over 23 per cent of the cars on Delhi roads reportedly run on diesel which produces much more carcinogenic nitrogen oxide than petrol cars. The tribunal had also said that the central and state governments must stop buying diesel cars in Delhi.

During the three-hour-long hearing, the bench asked the counsel representing Centre and the Delhi government to come out with comprehensive long and short term plans to tackle the menace of air pollution.