No Action Against Owners of 10 & 15-yr-old Diesel & Petrol Vehicles for 4 Weeks: SC
The Supreme Court has come up with a significant ruling on the ban on old vehicles in Delhi. In a major relief to the owners of over 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles, the apex court has said that no “coercive” action will be taken against them for a period of four weeks. This decision was taken in response to an application filed by the Delhi government, which had challenged the ban on the vehicles as a pollution control measure in the capital.
The Delhi government had approached the Supreme Court, seeking a stay on the ban, which was imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2015. The NGT had directed the Delhi government to implement the ban on vehicles older than 10 years in a phased manner. The ban was aimed at reducing the alarming levels of air pollution in the national capital.
The Delhi government had argued that the ban was not feasible at present and that it would cause a significant inconvenience to the public. They had also pointed out that there were no adequate public transport facilities available in the city, which would make it difficult for people to commute without their old vehicles.
The Supreme Court, while hearing the petition, sympathized with the plight of the people and the Delhi government. It observed that the ban would cause hardship to the people and that the government needed more time to prepare for its implementation.
The apex court also noted that the Delhi government had taken some steps to reduce pollution, such as implementing the odd-even scheme and increasing the number of buses and autos. However, it also acknowledged that more needed to be done to reduce pollution in the city.
In its order, the Supreme Court directed the Delhi government to file a detailed report on the measures it had taken to reduce pollution and the steps it planned to take in the future. The court also asked the government to provide a detailed plan for the implementation of the ban on old vehicles.
The Delhi government has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision and has said that it would file a detailed report on the measures it had taken to reduce pollution. The government has also assured the court that it would take all necessary steps to ensure that the ban was implemented smoothly and that it did not cause any hardship to the people.
The ban on old vehicles is a significant step towards reducing pollution in Delhi. The city has been grappling with poor air quality for years, and the ban is expected to make a significant impact. However, the Delhi government’s decision to challenge the ban and the Supreme Court’s decision to stay its implementation have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the measure.
The ban on old vehicles is not a new measure. The NGT had directed the Delhi government to implement the ban in 2015. However, the government had been dragging its feet on the issue, and the ban had not been implemented till now.
The Delhi government’s decision to challenge the ban has been criticized by environmental activists, who have said that it is a step backwards for the city’s efforts to reduce pollution. They have argued that the ban on old vehicles is a necessary measure to reduce pollution and that the government should not have challenged it.
The Supreme Court’s decision to stay the implementation of the ban has also raised concerns about the impact it will have on the city’s air quality. The city has been struggling to meet the national ambient air quality standards, and the ban on old vehicles was expected to make a significant impact.
The Delhi government’s decision to challenge the ban has also raised questions about the government’s commitment to reducing pollution. The government had promised to reduce pollution in the city, but its decision to challenge the ban has raised doubts about its commitment.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the implementation of the ban on old vehicles in Delhi is a significant development. While the decision has provided relief to the owners of old vehicles, it has also raised concerns about the impact it will have on the city’s air quality. The Delhi government’s decision to challenge the ban has also raised questions about its commitment to reducing pollution.
