Vehicles must be phased out based on fitness, not age, says Delhi CM

There should be a uniform rule across the country for overage or ‘end of life’ vehicles (ELVs), Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Saturday. The Delhi government had, earlier this week, moved the Supreme Court challenging its 2018 order that upheld the National Green Tribunal’s ban on ELVs — diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years — in Delhi-NCR.

Three-judge Bench

A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai is likely to hear a plea seeking a comprehensive study by the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) to assess the actual environmental benefits of age-based restrictions versus emission-based criteria.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of an event, the CM said her government has submitted to the apex court that vehicles that pass the fitness test and don’t emit pollution should be allowed to ply in the national capital without the age cap.

“A polluting vehicle should be phased out even if it is five years old. However, if a vehicle does not cause pollution and passes the fitness test, it should be allowed on roads,” Ms. Gupta said.

“The rules in Delhi must be the same as those applicable anywhere else in the country,” said the CM, adding that her government is making all possible efforts for a better environment in the Capital.

The CAQM had announced on April 23 a ban on the refuelling of overage vehicles in Delhi from July 1. It had directed authorities to impound overage vehicles.

The Delhi government had initially supported the directive, but after facing public backlash, it sought the directive to be put on hold due to “operational and infrastructural challenges”. The Centre’s pollution control body subsequently deferred the ban to November 1.

The CM hit out at the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for “failing to control air pollution in the Capital”, which she said led to the enforcement of such restrictions.

“The previous governments in Delhi did nothing to control pollution. They let people choke, which is why the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal had to prohibit 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles,” Ms. Gupta said.