Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Urges Supreme Court to Review Ban on End-of-Life Vehicles

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has urged the SC to revisit the blanket ban on end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) in the Capital, and said that non-polluting, fitness-certified vehicles should be permitted to ply irrespective of their age. The request comes in response to mounting public agitation and recent judicial developments about vehicular curbs in Delhi.

Also Read: Supreme Court to Hear Crucial Plea on End-of-Life Limits for BS VI Vehicles in NCR

In an order issued by the Supreme Court in October 2018, it banned vehicles older than 10 years running on diesel and older than 15 years running on petrol from being used in Delhi-NCR due to environmental reasons. The action was aimed at addressing air pollution in one of the world's most polluted urban areas.

Chief Minister Supports Policy Based on Emissions

Addressing a public gathering, CM Gupta said, "If a car is polluting, then it must be off-roaded even within five years. But if a car is non-polluting and fine, then there should be no curb on it."

Also Read: No Fuel For End-Of-Life Petrol And Diesel Vehicles In Delhi From July 1

She advocated a more scientifically and pragmatically approached vehicular pollution, proposing that whether or not a vehicle is roadworthy should not depend merely on its age, but also on the vehicle's fitness and performance of emissions. Gupta focused on the suffering caused to Delhi citizens from the present blanket restrictions, and asserted that Delhi must be regulated by the same vehicle fitness regulations as the rest of India.

Government Moves Supreme Court Against ELV Ban

The Delhi government made a formal plea in the Supreme Court on Friday, challenging the age-based prohibition. The petition asks for the development of a holistic vehicle fitness policy that tests vehicles on actual emission levels, supported by scientific evidence and real-time data.

Also Read: Delhi Rolls Out Fuel Ban for Older Cars—Is Your Vehicle Affected?

The plea quotes:

• Roll-out of BS-VI compliant engines
• Tighter Pollution Under Control (PUC) standards
• Increased emissions testing infrastructure

The petition argues that indiscriminate bans on the basis of age are not supported by science and unreasonably target the public at large.

Fuel Ban Row Mounts Pressure

This month, the Delhi government was criticised for imposing a Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) order that excluded ELVs from refuelling petrol pumps. The step evoked widespread public opposition and was then put on hold. The incident added urgency to the broader debate over whether a one-size-fits-all ban is the most effective solution to Delhi’s vehicular pollution problem.

Also Read: Former Delhi CM Atishi Mishra Requests Rekha Gupta To Pass Law That Protects Old Vehicle

Next Hearing Scheduled for July 28

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case today, July 28, in which a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai will consider the appeal of the Delhi government. The verdict can have far-reaching implications not only for Delhi, but also for other Indian cities that are struggling with similar air pollution problems and scrappage policies for vehicles.