On Tuesday, the Supreme Court, directed that no coercive measures shall be taken against owners of diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). This interim relief was granted by a bench headed by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, along with Justice K. Vinod Chandran and Justice N.V. Anjaria, during the hearing of multiple petitions related to environmental concerns under the ambit of the landmark TN Godavarman case.
The Court also issued notices in a review petition filed by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi challenging the Apex Court’s 2018 judgment that had upheld a ban on these older vehicles in Delhi NCR to curb pollution levels.
The Delhi Government’s review plea contends that since 2018, enhanced emission monitoring standards and expanded pollution testing protocols have been introduced, rendering the age-based vehicle ban redundant. It has further urged the Court to direct the Union Ministry and the Commission for Air Quality Management to undertake a comprehensive scientific assessment to evaluate the genuine environmental impact and efficacy of continuing such restrictions.
Background to the matter traces to the 2015 directive of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that prohibited diesel vehicles exceeding 10 years and petrol vehicles exceeding 15 years from operating in Delhi NCR as a pollution control measure. The Apex Court had affirmed this order in 2018, maintaining the ban’s validity.
In 2024, the Delhi Government issued guidelines concerning the management of end-of-life vehicles in public spaces. Subsequently, it announced a directive effective July 1, 2025, prohibiting fuel supply to such end-of-life vehicles at petrol pumps. However, this move faced public opposition and was temporarily stayed.
This interim order by the Top Court marks a cautious approach towards balancing environmental imperatives with the rights and concerns of vehicle owners, while the petition challenging the continuing validity of the ban proceeds further.
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