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Supreme Court Eases Ban on Older Delhi Vehicles
18 Dec
Summary
- Older vehicles compliant with BS-IV standards are now protected in Delhi-NCR.
- Action can now be taken against BS-III and older vehicles.
- Over 10 million vehicles in Delhi-NCR could be affected by the order.
The Supreme Court has altered its previous directive, removing protections for end-of-life vehicles in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) that do not comply with BS-IV or higher emission standards. This modification, based on a recommendation by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), permits enforcement actions against older diesel and petrol vehicles that fail to meet these emission benchmarks.
Previously, an August 12, 2025, order had shielded these vehicles. However, the CAQM argued that vehicles with older emission standards contribute significantly more to the region's air pollution. Consequently, the court's modified order now allows action against vehicles with BS-III, BS-II, or BS-I standards, impacting an estimated 10.7 million vehicles out of the 28.8 million registered in Delhi-NCR.
This decision addresses concerns raised by the CAQM regarding the substantial pollution load from older vehicles, particularly during winter months. While the Delhi government had previously argued that age alone shouldn't disqualify well-maintained, compliant vehicles, the court's latest ruling prioritizes emission standards to combat severe air quality issues in the Delhi-NCR.
