Delhi Govt Seeks Review of 2018 Supreme Court Order Banning Older Vehicles

The Delhi government has petitioned the Supreme Court to review a 2018 order banning 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in the National Capital Region. The government argues that the ban lacks a scientific basis and imposes disproportionate hardship on residents. The plea contends that stricter pollution controls introduced in recent years have rendered the ban outdated. The decision to defer the fuel ban had followed requests from the Delhi government, citing public outcry and logistical hurdles.

The Delhi government has petitioned the Supreme Court to review its 2018 order banning 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR). The government argues that the ban lacks a scientific basis and imposes disproportionate hardship on residents. The plea contends that stricter pollution controls introduced in recent years have rendered the ban outdated.

The decision to defer the fuel ban had followed requests from the Delhi government, citing public outcry and logistical hurdles. The Delhi government has requested a scientific study on the necessity of the ban, arguing that newer BS-VI vehicles are significantly cleaner and that the blanket ban does not differentiate between poorly maintained and roadworthy vehicles [3].

The Delhi government has also pointed to the widespread adoption of BS-VI emission standards, the strengthened Pollution Under Control (PUC) certification regime, and the growing presence of electric vehicles as evidence of a more evolved regulatory environment. The plea also highlights the impact on the second-hand car market, which remains a viable option for many low- and middle-income families to access personal transportation [2].

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the application on Monday, along with two similar petitions filed by private individuals challenging the age-based restrictions. The court's decision could set a precedent for how Indian metros balance climate goals with urban realities, particularly in light of the ongoing debate over the effectiveness of age-based vehicle bans versus emissions-based strategies [1].

References:
[1] https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/delhi-government-to-file-review-petition-in-supreme-court-on-older-vehicle-ban-8945601
[2] https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/delhi-govt-urges-supreme-court-to-review-2018-order-banning-older-vehicles-125072600659_1.html
[3] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/delhi-govt-requests-sc-to-review-2018-blanket-ban-affecting-middle-class-the-most/articleshow/122918617.cms