NGT refuses to lift ban on older diesel vehicles in Delhi-NCR

In January 2017, the Centre had appealed to the Supreme Court challenging NGT’s order regarding the ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years, plying on Delhi-NCR roads.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), on September 14, 2017 - refused to lift its ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years in Delhi-NCR.

The Centre was seeking modification of the order, which was first passed in April 2015 - stating that older diesel cars were not the primary source of pollution and that it is a misconception that only diesel vehicles pollute the environment. Therefore, the government wanted the ban to be extended to diesel vehicles older than 15 years instead.

Dismissing the Centre’s plea, the NGT said that one diesel vehicle causes the amount of air pollution that is equal to that caused by either 24 petrol vehicles, or 40 CNG vehicles.

In 2016, the NGT  had ordered the Delhi RTO to deregister all diesel vehicles operating in the city, which were over 10 years old. Previously, even the Society of Indian Automotive Manufacturers (SIAM) had opposed the ban claiming that the automotive industry is a major contributor to the Indian Economy and GDP, and such rulings make the investments insecure.