Relief for Diesel and Petrol Vehicle Owners
The Supreme Court has directed that authorities must not take any coercive steps against owners of diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old in Delhi. The interim order, passed on Tuesday in the MC Mehta vs Union of India case, offers immediate relief until the matter is heard again in four weeks.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria issued the direction after considering the concerns raised by the Delhi government. “Issue notice returnable in four weeks. In the meantime, no coercive steps to be taken against owners of cars on the ground that they are 10 years old in respect to diesel vehicles and 15 years old with respect to petrol vehicles,” the Court ordered.
The Bench, in an oral remark, noted, “Earlier, one used to use cars for 40-50 years. Even now, vintage cars exist.”
Delhi Government Seeks Review of 2018 Ban
The Delhi government filed the application seeking relief from the apex court’s 2018 order that prohibited diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the National Capital Region (NCR) as a pollution control measure.
In its plea, the government argued that the 2018 order lacked a scientific basis or environmental impact assessment. It pointed out that significant advancements in pollution control have been implemented since 2020, including mandatory compliance with Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission standards and enhanced coverage of the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certification system.
The application stressed that BS-VI compliant engines are far less polluting. Continuing the 2018 restrictions without updated scientific analysis, it said, would unfairly remove roadworthy and non-polluting vehicles from use.
Pollution Measures and Practical Concerns
The Delhi government also highlighted the growing availability of cleaner fuels and the promotion of electric vehicles to curb pollution. It argued that many vehicles affected by the ban are used sparingly, travel fewer kilometers each year, and make negligible contributions to overall pollution levels.
The ban, it noted, has also disrupted the second-hand car market, which remains a critical option for many poor and lower-middle-income families seeking affordable transportation.
Solicitor General Flags Hardships
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, illustrated the practical difficulties caused by the ban. He compared two scenarios: one where a car owner drives only short distances for years, and another where a taxi clocks over a lakh kilometers in just two years. Under the 2018 rule, the lightly-used personal vehicle would be seized after ten years, while the heavily-used taxi could continue to operate—an outcome he called unreasonable.
“There must be no coercive steps because police are obliged to seize the vehicles,” Mehta told the Court.
Next Hearing in Four Weeks
After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court directed that no action be taken against owners of such vehicles until the next hearing. The case will be reviewed in four weeks, giving the Court time to consider the scientific and practical arguments against the blanket age-based ban.
