- विज्ञापन -
![]()
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 plying on Delhi roads, a directive that has impacted thousands of vehicle owners across the region.
Plea seeks review of Supreme Court order
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.
Comprehensive study to assess impact: Delhi Govt
In its submission, the Delhi government has urged the apex 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.
