The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday said no coercive action will be taken against those who own diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. This move is proposed as a major relief for car owners in Delhi and the National Capital Region. Earlier, the government planned to ban end-of-life vehicles in the NCR in order to control the noxious air in the region.
Background
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued a directive in July to halt fuel supply to vehicles classified as "end-of-life." Vehicles exceeding the age limits specified in the directive were also required to be scrapped, under a 2018 Supreme Court ruling. Under the directive, diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years were categorised as 'end-of-life' vehicles.
Public Reaction
However, the seizure of the end-of-life vehicles sparked conversation and users registered their complaints about the policy on social media nd other public forums. Seeing the widespread discontent, the Supreme Court has now directed the government that no more actions will be taken against the end-of-life vehicle owners.
SC's New Directive
Reacting to the Supreme Court order, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the order has proved to be a major relief for the people as the apex court has decided to halt the coercive action against the end-of-life vehicles. Adding further, he also said that the end-of-life vehicles must not be categorised based on the years of use, but rather the distance traveled, and pollution should be considered as a viable factor.