Latest news with #CAQM
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.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Stubble burning in Punjab? Not this year, govt unveils aggressive new strategy to stop it cold
Satellite monitoring in partnership with ISRO and Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) Real-time fire alerts sent to field staff via SMS with GPS and Google Maps links High-risk: More than 30 incidents Moderate-risk: 10–30 incidents Low-risk: 1–10 incidents Satellite Alerts Must Be Verified on Ground Live Events Geo-tagged photos GPS data within 350 metres Signed verification by senior officials (DCs, ADCs, SDMs, or CAQM observers) Penalties and FIRs: Here's What Offenders Face Rs 5,000 for burning on less than 2 acres Rs 10,000 for 2–5 acres Rs 30,000 for more than 5 acres Detection to field verification: Within 48 hours Penalty issuance: Within 7 working days Fine recovery: Within 15 days Departmental Duties Clearly Defined Department Responsibility Revenue Department Field verification, issuing challans, fine recovery Agriculture Department Farmer outreach, promotion of alternatives to burning Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) Monitoring, incident reporting, legal compliance Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) Satellite data analysis and fire detection alerts Satellite image interpretation Verification protocol Digital data entry and compliance tracking CAQM Calls for Zero Tolerance (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel With the stubble burning season around the corner, the Punjab government has rolled out a stricter and tech-powered strategy to tackle the annual air pollution crisis. As reported by TOI, this year's approach combines satellite surveillance, field-level accountability, and enforcement of penalties, all aligned with directions from the Supreme Court and Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).After struggling to control farm fires last year, Punjab has enhanced its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) ahead of the upcoming October–November paddy harvest, the peak period for stubble upgrades include:Village risk profiling based on past fire data:District-level planning meetings with DCs, SDMs, and agriculture officials are mandated to conclude by August Environment Department has made it mandatory for officers to personally verify every "no crop burning found" case reported against a satellite alert. Under the new notification by Secretary Priyank Bharti, such dismissals now require:If any alert is not verified properly, it will be treated as a stubble burning incident, and strict legal action will follow under Supreme Court/NGT/CAQM deter violations, Punjab has revised the penalty structure for farmers:The process timeline is tight:Repeat offenders and those who don't pay fines will face FIRs under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have been directed to maintain a separate FIR log for such Punjab government has streamlined responsibilities for all departments involved:A PPCB official told TOI that all enforcement staff will receive training in:During a July 3 meeting, CAQM chairperson stressed the need for 'zero tolerance' towards crop residue burning. The Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) said, 'This is a collective effort, strict enforcement, farmer awareness, and technology will drive change.'All districts must finalise localised action plans by August 1. These will include high-risk village lists, task allocation, farmer sensitisation steps, and SOP compliance from TOI
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Categorised villages, satellite alerts, penalties in Punjab's new plan against farm fires
1 2 Patiala: Having struggled to contain stubble burning last year, Punjab govt has issued now rolled out an enhanced standard operating procedure (SOP) that will leverage satellite surveillance, stricter enforcement of penalties, and field-level accountability. The renewed push follows high-level consultations with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and aligns with directions from the Supreme Court. The state govt has instructed all district administrations, police departments, and agriculture officials to intensify efforts ahead of the upcoming paddy harvest season. Stubble burning will next take place in the region from Oct to Nov, the period when farmers harvest paddy and sow wheat. District administrations have been directed to categorise villages based on past stubble burning incidents: High-risk villages with more than 30 incidents, moderate-risk with 10–30 incidents, and low-risk with 1–10 incidents. Meetings involving deputy commissioners, chief agriculture officers, and other stakeholders have been mandated to conclude by Aug 1, with detailed documentation and strategy formulation for targeted interventions. The Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), in collaboration with ISRO, use satellite imagery to detect active fire locations. Upon detection, field functionaries are notified via SMS, including GPS coordinates and Google Maps links. State environment functionaries observed that many cases were being reported in the districts as 'no crop burning found'. However, as part of following a recent notification issued by Punjab secretary (science, technology and environment) Priyank Bharti, 'no crop burning found' cases must now be personally verified by senior officers such as DCs, ADCs, SDMs, or CAQM observers. Dismissal of satellite alerts now requires geo-tagged evidence, GPS data within 350 metres, and signed verification reports. Else the case be treated as fire incident and all action as per instructions of Supreme Court/NGT/CAQM be taken, reads the notification. The renewed crackdown comes after Punjab witnessed widespread stubble burning in 2024. During a high-level meeting on July 3, CAQM chairperson underscored the need for "zero tolerance" and called for rigorous enforcement backed by technology and community engagement. "This is a collective effort—strict enforcement, farmer awareness, and technology will drive change,' said the special director general of police (law and order). BOXES FIR for not paying fine Farmers found burning stubble will face penalties: Rs 5000 for less than 2 acres, Rs 10,000 for 2–5 acres, and Rs 30,000 for over 5 acres. Enforcement timelines stipulate detection to field verification within 48 hours, penalty issuance within seven working days, and recovery of fines within 15 days. Repeat offenders and non-compliant individuals may face FIRs under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police authorities have been directed to maintain a separate log of such FIRs. Follow-up on penalties A PPCB official said govt staffers will now also have to follow up on post-penalty procedures for payment compliance, update digital records upon payment receipt, and conduct routine audits to ensure transparency and adherence. "Officials will be trained in satellite imagery interpretation, verification protocols, and penalty imposition procedures," said the official. WHO WILL DO WHAT Revenue dept | To handle field verification, challan issuance, and fine recovery Agriculture dept | Officials to manage farmer outreach and promotion of eco-friendly practices Punjab Pollution Control Board | To oversee monitoring, reporting, and incident validation; Punjab Remote Sensing Centre | To provide imagery analysis and technical support MSID:: 122920492 413 |
NDTV
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
"Pollution Should Be The Criteria": Minister On Old Vehicles' Ban In Delhi
New Delhi: The Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court seeking a review of its 2018 order, which bans diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the Delhi-NCR region. The petition argues that the age-based ban is outdated and unfairly targets even roadworthy, non-polluting vehicles, hitting middle-class owners the hardest. The plea comes amid growing backlash over the Commission for Air Quality Management's (CAQM) July order to stop fuel supply to vehicles that fall under the "end-of-life" category. That order has now been deferred till November 1 after strong public opposition and intervention by the Delhi government. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed the development, saying the situation has changed significantly since 2018. "The situation of 2025 is totally different from 2018, and there are many modern technologies available now. We want to apprise the honourable court, and that's why we have filed the review," Mr Sirsa told NDTV. Mr Sirsa added, "If a vehicle is polluting, it should be banned, regardless of whether it's five years old or fifteen. Pollution should be the criteria, not the age of the vehicle." The petition warns that continuing with the 2018 ruling will lead to even BS-VI compliant vehicles being taken off the roads in the coming years, without scientific justification. It questions why even BS-IV vehicles that pass Pollution Under Control (PUC) tests are being sidelined and calls for decisions to be based on updated emissions data. The government has urged the court to order a comprehensive, scientific study on how older vehicles contribute to pollution, rather than relying on blanket age-based rules. The petition also cited that other countries like Japan, the US, and those in the EU do not ban vehicles solely based on age. Instead, they rely on regular testing and real-time emissions data to decide if a vehicle should remain on the road. The debate has struck a chord with vehicle owners across NCR, many of whom say they've suffered despite owning well-maintained cars. Naresh Malik, a South Delhi resident, shared his ordeal, "I had to sell my Corolla Altis, which had only run 34,000 km in 15 years, at a throwaway price. It was in perfect condition. Today's cars can easily last 2.5 lakh kilometres. Why are we judged just on age?" "If the aim is to reduce pollution, the focus should be on traffic congestion and stricter PUC (Pollution Under Control) checks, not arbitrary rules. I'm hopeful the court will understand the practical concerns of people like us, especially the financial burden we face," he added. The CAQM's July 1 directive to stop refuelling ELV vehicles had triggered widespread public outcry. Minister Sirsa wrote to the commission asking for a pause, and Lt Governor VK Saxena later advised the government to take the matter to the Supreme Court. The case is now listed for hearing on Monday, and its outcome could impact thousands of vehicle owners across the capital region, as well as future national policies on vehicle retirement and pollution control.
