ELVs continue to face legal action, PUC denial despite govt’s assurance of relief

Despite the Delhi government's assurance that no coercive action would be taken against end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), several vehicle owners in the national capital said enforcement agencies continue to impound their vehicles and deny them key services such as pollution certificates and re-registration.

- Snehil Sinha

The confusion stems from the gap between the government's public announcement and the continuing applicability of Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders that prohibit the operation of 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in Delhi-NCR.

The government publicly stated that it intends to appeal the existing restrictions on end-of-life vehicles and that no coercive action would be taken against such vehicles.

Delhi residents said that while the government's statement had raised hopes of temporary relief, enforcement on the ground had not stopped.

Rajesh Malhotra, a resident of Rohini, said his 15-year-old petrol hatchback was towed away from outside his house earlier this month despite being parked and not in use.