No scientific logic: Govt asks SC to lift ELVs ban

The top court is likely to hear the Delhi govt's application on July 28

- Abraham Thomas and Alok KN Mishra

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Friday moved the Supreme Court challenging the blanket ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, arguing the restrictions lack scientific backing

The application, likely to be heard by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai on Monday, seeks recall of the court’s October 29, 2018 order that upheld the National Green Tribunal’s initial directive.

The challenge comes after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Delhi government faced widespread criticism earlier this month for implementing a Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directive denying fuel to end-of-life vehicles from July L. The controversial measure was subsequently put on hold following public backlash.

The government's fresh application centres on significant technological advances since 2018, particularly the mandatory implementation of Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission standards in April 2020 and what it said was stricter pollution control certificate (PUC) checks.