SC ends protection to BS-III, older vehicles in Delhi-NCR

RELIEF FROM COERCIVE ACTION NOW APPLIES STRICTLY TO BS-IV COMPLIANT OR NEWER VEHICLES

- MPOST BUREAU

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said only vehicles with BS-IV compliant engines and above will be exempted from action if they are found running in Delhi. The top court modified its earlier order banning 10-year-old diesel-run vehicles and 15-year-old petrol-run vehicles from December 18 in view of the massive air pollution in Delhi. A 15-year-old petrol-run vehicle in India and its 10-year-old diesel counterpart are likely have a BS-III (Bharat Stage 3) compliant engine.

Earlier, the Supreme Court, acting on a petition from the Delhi government, had ordered that no strict action would be taken against 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles. That left a grey area both for vehicle owners and the implementing agencies.

The apex court's clarification came following a request from the Central pollution watchdog CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management). Citing the extreme pollution blanket over Delhi-NCR, the Commission had asked that vehicles with older engines (BSIII) contribute massively to pollution and deserve no exemption.