Latest news with #BS-VI
NDTV
2 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Top Court To Hear Delhi Government's Plea On Ban Of End-Of-Life Vehicles
New Delhi: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a crucial petition on Monday filed by the Delhi government, challenging the blanket ban on end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), older vehicles operating in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The case pertains to the enforcement of a rule that prohibits diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years from running on Delhi roads, a directive that has impacted thousands of vehicle owners across the region. The Delhi government's plea seeks a review of the 2018 Supreme Court order, arguing that the age-based ban lacks scientific backing and disproportionately affects middle-class citizens who rely on these vehicles for essential and limited use. The petition calls for a more nuanced, emission-based regulatory framework that considers the actual environmental impact of each vehicle, rather than relying solely on age as the determining factor. In its submission, the Delhi government has urged the top court to direct the Central Government or the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to conduct a comprehensive scientific study to assess the real-world impact of such vehicles on air quality. The plea contends that many older vehicles, particularly those compliant with BS-VI (Bharat Stage 6) emission norms or used infrequently, emit negligible pollutants and should not be subject to a blanket ban. 'The current approach mandates collective compliance without distinguishing between highly polluting vehicles and well-maintained, low-use ones,' the petition states, highlighting the disproportionate burden on lower and middle-income citizens. The issue has gained renewed urgency following the nationwide implementation of BS-VI norms, widely regarded as the cleanest vehicle emission standards introduced in India. The Delhi government argues that numerous vehicles affected by the ban are either BS-VI compliant or well-maintained, making their continued use environmentally safe. The petition also underscores the socio-economic consequences of the ban, pointing out that families dependent on older vehicles for daily commuting or livelihood now face hardship due to the inflexible policy.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Supreme Court to review Delhi's old vehicle ban today: What's the policy and why was it paused?
The Supreme Court will review the controversial ban on older petrol and diesel vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday. The hearing follows a plea by the Delhi government, challenging the blanket ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, arguing the restrictions lack scientific backing. The Delhi government rolled out the 'No fuel for old vehicles' policy on July 1, but it was paused within two days.(AFP) A bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran will take up the matter. One of the most pertinent questions to be answered from the hearing is whether Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) compliant vehicles should still face arbitrary end-of-life restrictions based solely on age. The Delhi government's plea seeks a comprehensive study by the Centre and CAQM to assess the actual environmental benefits of age-based restrictions versus emission-based criteria. What's the ban? The current ban traces back to a 2015 order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which prohibited diesel vehicles older than 10 years and Petrol vehicles older than 15 years. "The vehicles which are more than 15 years old will not be permitted to be parked in any public area, and they shall be towed away and challenged by the police in accordance with the law. This direction would be applicable to all vehicles without exception, i.e. two wheelers, three wheelers, four wheelers, light vehicles and heavy vehicles, irrespective of whether commercial or otherwise," the NGT said in its November 26, 2014, order. The Supreme Court upheld this ruling in 2018, citing alarming air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR and a need to protect public health. In line with this, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directed that fuel stations stop supplying petrol and diesel to these "end-of-life" vehicles from July 1, 2025. Why was the policy paused? The Delhi government, under chief minister Rekha Gupta, rolled out the 'No fuel for old vehicles' policy on July 1, 2025, but it was paused within two days after facing public backlash. The government then cited logistical hurdles and infrastructure gaps, especially in identifying and enforcing the ban effectively. Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said last week that pollution levels of vehicles should be determined based on their usage rather than their age, ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on the End-of-Life (EoL) vehicle policy. "There are many vehicles that have aged, but because they haven't been used much, their pollution levels are lower. There are so many new vehicles whose age is less but have been used a lot; so we believe that the parameter to determine pollution levels must be the use of the vehicle instead of its age," Sirsa told news agency ANI.
Mint
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Supreme Court may hear Delhi Govt's plea against blanket ban on overage vehicles today
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government has moved the Supreme Court challenging the blanket ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice BR Gavai is likely to hear the plea today. The plea seeks to recall the top court's October 29, 2018, order upholding the National Green Tribunal's initial directive. The plea submitted that a comprehensive policy is required to tackle pollution in Delhi-NCR, which gives vehicle fitness based on actual emission levels of individual vehicles as per scientific methods rather than implementing a blanket ban based solely on age. The plea seeks a comprehensive study by the Centre and CAQM to assess the actual environmental benefits of age-based restrictions versus emission-based criteria. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said last week that pollution levels of vehicles should be determined based on their usage rather than their age, ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on the End-of-Life (EoL) vehicle policy. "There are many vehicles that have aged, but because they haven't been used much, their pollution levels are lower. There are so many new vehicles whose age is less but have been used a lot; so we believe that the parameter to determine pollution levels must be the use of the vehicle instead of its age," Sirsa told news agency ANI. On July 24, a bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran agreed to examine whether BS-VI compliant vehicles should have an end-of-life limit of 15 years for petrol vehicles and 10 years for diesel vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region. The apex court had earlier directed the transport departments of states in the National Capital Region (NCR) that all diesel vehicles more than 10 years old and petrol vehicles more than 15 years old shall not ply in terms of order of the NGT order. "All vehicles, diesel or petrol, which are more than 15 years old shall not be permitted to ply on the roads and wherever such vehicles of this age are noticed, the concerned authorities shall take appropriate steps in accordance with law, including seizure of the vehicles in accordance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act. "The vehicles which are more than 15 years old, will not be permitted to be parked in any public area, and they shall be towed away and challenged by the police in accordance with the law. This direction would be applicable to all vehicles without exception i.e. two wheelers, three wheelers, four wheelers, light vehicles and heavy vehicles irrespective of whether commercial or otherwise," the NGT said in its November 26, 2014, order. Recently, the Delhi government implemented 'No fuel for 15-year-old petrol and 10-year-old diesel vehicles' from July 1, 2025, in compliance with the mandate from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). However, within two days of its implementation, the city government, facing public ire, put it on hold, citing 'operational and infrastructural challenges' as the reasons. Key Takeaways The Delhi government's vehicle age ban has been put on hold due to public backlash. The government argues for a more scientific approach to vehicle emissions based on usage, not age. The Supreme Court will review the implications of the ban and consider a comprehensive study.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Delhi government seeks SC review of ELV ban, calls it unfair
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, requesting a reconsideration of the ban on 'End-of-Life Vehicles' (ELVs). It argues that the policy unfairly impacts middle-class vehicle owners, especially in the absence of solid scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. This comes in the wake of a 2018 Supreme Court ruling and a subsequent National Green Tribunal order that mandates the phase-out of petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years in the NCR. Delhi government officials argued that these age-based standards overlook advancements in vehicle emissions technology, especially considering the April 2020 introduction of Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) standards. The application filed by the government said, 'The roadworthiness of a vehicle is a technical and scientific issue that must be linked to actual emissions as tested and recorded by mechanisms set out under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, etc., as opposed to a blanket ban on the basis of age, which is unlinked to actual emissions.' The application notes that other nations, such as the European Union, Japan, and the United States of America, do not impose age-based bans and instead adopt a measured and sustainable approach that addresses both pollution and urban decongestion holistically. Environment Minister Majinder Singh Sirsa mentioned that the government's review application emphasises the need for data-backed assessment, rather than broad limitation, on the actual emissions produced by each vehicle, regardless of its age. The government argued that the ban unfairly impacts owners of well-maintained vehicles, ignoring factors like usage, upkeep, and PUC compliance, the plea stated. The Delhi government's petition highlights that around 2.8 million BS-IV and BS-VI vehicles are registered in the city. It also stated that the current age-based ban could exclude compliant vehicles. It has further prayed that the Court direct the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to conduct a comprehensive scientific study on environmental benefits, the fairness of such a blanket ban, and if such a ban will improve the air quality in NCR.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Vehicle emission, not age, must determine curbs: Delhi CM
Non-polluting vehicles which meet fitness norms should be allowed to ply irrespective of their age, chief minister Rekha Gupta said on Saturday even as she urged the Supreme Court to reconsider a ban on end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) in the Capital. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta (ANI) The remarks come a day after her government filed an application in the apex court, challenging the ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, arguing the restrictions lack scientific backing. Gupta said a more practical, emissions-based approach is required to tackle air pollution caused by vehicular emissions. Her government has also underlined the hardships caused to the general public due to the ban. 'It is our duty to represent the voices of the same laws (regarding vehicles) that are applicable throughout the country should be applicable in Delhi as well. If a vehicle is polluting, it should be off-roaded even within five years. But if a vehicle is not polluting and is fit, there should be no restrictions on it. The government has presented its stand before the court. I believe the court will take note of this and grant the people of Delhi their rightful entitlements,' she said during a public event on Saturday morning. In its application, the government has sought that a comprehensive policy be evolved which grades a vehicle's fitness based on its emission level. Earlier this month, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Delhi government faced widespread criticism for implementing a Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directive denying fuel to ELVs. The controversial measure was subsequently put on hold following public backlash. In its application filed on Friday, the government cited the rollout of BS-VI engines, stricter PUC compliance, and expanded emissions testing as grounds for re-examining the court's October 2018 order. 'To tackle the issue of pollution in the NCR region, a comprehensive policy is required which gives vehicle fitness based on the actual emission levels of an individual vehicle as per scientific methods rather than implementing a blanket ban based solely on the age of the vehicle.' The application is likely to be heard by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai on Monday.
