SC refuses to stay NGT order banning diesel vehicles over 10 years old in Delhi

SC rejects the plea against the order intended to provide cleaner air in capital

The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition challenging the recent order of the National Green Tribunal banning ten-year-old diesel vehicles from entering the capital to reduce pollution.

The petition was filed by a lawyer, Vishal Jagdanad, arguing that the tribunal had no jurisdiction to pass such a blanket order, and it was the executive authorities who have the power to do so.  However, Chief Justice H L Dattu rejected the plea and upheld the order of the tribunal.

On April 7, following orders starting November 26, the tribunal had prohibited  ten-year-old diesel vehicles and  15-year-old petrol vehicles including light and medium vehicles from plying in the capital. This was on a complaint that these old vehicles, especially those transiting through the capital with goods going to other states, are fouling up the city air, making it the worst polluted city in the world.

It is estimated that  nearly two lakh private diesel vehicles and some 40,000 commercial vehicles will be affected by the tribunal’s order, which was virtually upheld by the Supreme Court today.