A recent directive from the Supreme Court of India has sparked renewed optimism for millions of vehicle owners in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The apex court has granted protection from coercive action against owners of vehicles compliant with BS-IV or newer emission norms, potentially aligning the region's vehicle renewal policy with the rest of the country.
What the Supreme Court Order Means
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court modified an earlier ruling, stating that only vehicles meeting BS-IV and BS-VI standards would be shielded from punitive measures, even if they are older than 15 years. This crucial modification rekindles the possibility that such vehicles in Delhi-NCR could have their registrations renewed upon passing mandatory fitness and pollution tests, a practice standard across India.
Currently, outside Delhi-NCR, a vehicle's operational life is determined by its fitness, not its age. Private vehicles undergo renewal every five years after the initial 15-year period, provided they pass the fitness examination. However, court and National Green Tribunal orders had previously linked a vehicle's age directly to its end of life in the capital region.
Clarity Awaited for Millions of Vehicle Owners
Government officials have expressed cautious optimism. "There will be greater clarity once we see the court order. But going by what the apex court has observed, we expect major relief for BS-IV and BS-VI vehicle owners," a government official stated. Transport experts are urging swift action from authorities to implement the order and provide clear guidelines.
Transport expert Anil Chhikara emphasized, "As per the central motor vehicle norms... fitness and pollution tests are the only criteria for allowing or retiring any vehicle... Now there is a hope that BS-IV and BS-VI vehicles may get a fresh lease of life even after completing 10-15 years, if these pass pollution and fitness tests. Soon after getting a copy of the SC order, the government should expedite things to bring more clarity."
Phasing Out Older Polluting Vehicles
The order also solidifies the path for scrapping older, more polluting vehicles registered in the NCR. Experts welcome the move against BS-I, II, and III norm vehicles, as all such vehicles have crossed the 15-year mark since BS-IV norms were introduced in Delhi-NCR in 2010. This development aligns with the Central government's policy to phase out older vehicles through incentivized scrapping programs.
The numbers are significant. According to Vahan vehicle registration data:
- Delhi-NCR has approximately 3.3 crore registered vehicles.
- Around 2.1 crore possess valid fitness certificates and are operational.
- Out of these operational vehicles, about 1.4 crore are BS-IV and BS-VI compliant.
- Focusing solely on Delhi, of the 77 lakh operational vehicles, roughly 59 lakh meet BS-IV or BS-VI standards.
The Supreme Court's decision marks a pivotal moment, potentially ending the age-based ban for cleaner vehicles and restoring a fitness-centric policy for Delhi-NCR, while continuing the push to remove older, high-polluting models from the roads.
