Exclusive: CAQM seeks review of SC order pausing action against end-of-life vehicles; wants BS-III and those below excluded

The CAQM’s submissions assume significance in light of the public outcry over its directions issued in April this year with regard to denying fuel to all end-of-life vehicles. The commission, it is learnt, has stressed the fact that it will be more than 15 years since BS-III norms took effect and nearly 25 years since BS-II standards came into effect, while arguing for restrictions on the plying of polluting vehicles based on emission standards.

In data submitted to the Supreme Court, it has been pointed out that out of 2.88 crore vehicles plying on the roads in Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region), 93 per cent are Light Motor Vehicles (LMV) and two-wheelers. Of the total vehicles, 37 per cent are BS-III and below.

Comparing the higher emission potential of older vehicles, it has been said that diesel vehicles of BS-III standard and below emit 2.5 times to 31 times more particulate matter, 6.25 times to 12 times more nitrogen oxides, and 1.28 times to 5.4 times carbon monoxide. BS-III and below petrol vehicles emit 2.5 times to 16 times more nitrogen dioxide and 2.3 times to 2.72 times more carbon monoxide, the CAQM is learnt to have submitted.

In April 23 this year, the CAQM had issued directions to deny fuel to all end-of-life vehicles from July 1, but the order has been kept in abeyance after the Supreme Court paused coercive action. The top court’s order came while hearing a review plea filed by the Delhi government in the matter.

The Delhi government had argued before the Supreme Court that road-worthiness of a vehicle must be linked to actual emissions as tested and recorded under the Motor Vehicles Act, rather than imposing an age-based blanket ban. Before the review in the apex court, it had also requested the CAQM to pause the action against older vehicles citing public discontent, operational and infrastructural challenges, and argued the order may even be counter-productive. On the Delhi government’s request, CAQM deferred the order till November 1.

The CAQM’s order to phase out end-of-life vehicles was passed in the backdrop of a 2015 NGT order that directed against allowing the plying of diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. The Supreme Court upheld the NGT’s order in 2018.