SC ends 'essential' exemption, all vehicles to pay green cess for Delhi

The Supreme Court has removed a decade-old exemption on commercial vehicles carrying essential commodities from paying the environment compensation cess (ECC) before entering the Capital, a decision that could ease the pollution load and traffic congestion at Delhi's borders.

- Abraham Thomas

In an order passed last Friday, a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, directed all commercial vehicles entering Delhi to uniformly deposit ECC after the court found that its order granting exemption to essential goods carriers posed a "genuine" difficulty. The order was released Tuesday.

First imposed in 2015, ECC is a fee levied on commercial vehicles entering Delhi to offset the Capital's severe air pollution.

The cess, introduced on the recommendations of the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, is collected in addition to regular tolls. Its aim was to disincentivise entry of polluting vehicles into Delhi and fund cleaner public transport and pedestrian projects.