SC directive on old vehicles: Delhi CM vows to represent public interests

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said since the Supreme Court has accepted Delhi government’s petition, no immediate punitive action will be taken against owners of diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Reacting to the top court’s directive, she shared that through a review petition, Delhi government had requested that vehicle evaluation should be based not only on their age but also on their mileage and emission levels so that only the vehicles that actually cause pollution are identified and acted upon.

Advertisement

Gupta further said that by actively participating in the judicial process, the Delhi government will continue to firmly represent the interests of the people of the national capital.

The decision strengthens the government’s resolve to maintain a balance between environmental protection and public convenience, she added.

Meanwhile, reacting to the development regarding the interim relief for vehicle owners, Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa thanked the apex court and the CM for securing much-needed comfort for lakhs of vehicle owners.

The order came during the hearing of the Delhi government’s plea to review the 2018 blanket ban on “end-of-life” vehicles, arguing that such a ban should be based on pollution levels and usage, not just age, he said.

Sirsa informed that in the Environment Department’s petition filed before the Supreme Court, the apex court was also apprised of the air pollution mitigation efforts undertaken over the past six months. “This is a big relief for the people of Delhi. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta fought this battle on behalf of the people of Delhi,” he said.

“We hope that in the days to come, we will be able to bring permanent relief to the residents of Delhi,” he added.

Sirsa expressed gratitude to the court for recognising the sensitivity of the issue, adding that the government is confident of justifying its case that protects both public interest and the environment.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}