SC to hear Delhi government’s plea against end-of-life vehicle ban
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court will on Monday hear a petition filed by the Delhi government challenging the blanket ban on end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) in the National Capital Region.
The case relates to the enforcement of a rule that bars diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years from operating in Delhi. The restriction has affected thousands of vehicle owners in the region.
The Delhi government has sought a review of the Supreme Court’s 2018 order, contending that the age-based ban is unscientific and places an unfair burden on middle-class citizens who depend on such vehicles for limited and essential use.
The petition calls for an emission-based regulatory framework that evaluates the actual environmental impact of each vehicle rather than relying solely on age as the criterion.
The government has urged the apex court to instruct the Centre or the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to carry out a scientific study on the real impact of such vehicles on air quality. It argues that many older vehicles, especially those compliant with BS-VI norms or used sparingly, emit negligible pollutants and should not face a blanket ban.
“The current approach mandates collective compliance without distinguishing between highly polluting vehicles and well-maintained, low-use ones,” the petition says, stressing that the policy disproportionately affects lower- and middle-income citizens.
The matter has assumed greater significance after the nationwide introduction of BS-VI norms, considered India’s cleanest emission standards. The petition highlights that many of the vehicles hit by the ban are BS-VI compliant or well-maintained and therefore safe for use.
It also points to the socio-economic impact of the policy, noting that families reliant on older vehicles for commuting or livelihood are facing hardships due to the rigid restriction.
