New Delhi, 17 December. Amid extremely poor air quality index (AQI) in the national capital Delhi, the Supreme Court on Wednesday took drastic steps and changed its earlier order. Under this, Delhi-NCR Authority has been allowed to take action against those old vehicles which do not meet the BS-IV emission standard.
Permission to take action against vehicles not meeting BS-IV emission standards
The apex court, while changing its order of August 12, made it clear that action can be taken against such vehicles which meet emission standards less than BS-IV. With the new order, the time limit of 10 and 15 years will not be applicable on vehicles of BS-IV and above models. It is noteworthy that in its earlier decision of August 12, the Supreme Court had banned coercive action against diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Action will be taken against vehicles up to BS-III
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi passed the new order on the appeal of the Delhi government. Delhi government had demanded action against old cars. The bench said that vehicles with BS-IV engines will be exempted from the action.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Delhi government, demanded changes in the order passed on August 12. So that action can be taken against vehicles up to BS-III. According to the website ‘Live Law’, ASG said, ‘The emission standards of old vehicles are very bad. They are increasing pollution.
Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, amicus curiae in the air pollution case, said, “BS-IV came in 2010 while BS-III models are from before that.” The bench ordered that the August 12 order be modified to the effect that no strict action will be taken against owners of BS-IV and newer vehicles. This action will be taken on the basis that they are more than 10 years old (in case of diesel engines) and more than 15 years old (in case of petrol engines).
Instructions to consider temporarily stopping toll collection
In this sequence, the Supreme Court directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to consider temporarily stopping toll collection at nine toll plazas located at the entry points of the national capital.
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