The Supreme Court has upheld the temporary ban which it has imposed on the sales of luxury diesel cars and SUVs in Delhi- NCR after it heard the plea by automobile manufacturers seeking modification of its December 2015 ruling.

The Supreme Court order prohibits the sale and registration of diesel cars with engine capacity of 2000cc and above in Delhi and NCR, the reason given that these vehicles cause higher pollution levels and are used by the affluent sections of society. The plea by Mahindra & Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz India and Toyota Kirloskar Motor was represented by senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Kapil Sibal and Gopal Subramaniam, in front of an apex court bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur.

It was argued that larger cars and SUVs are not as damaging for the environment as believed,  that internationally diesel cars are becoming the norm, and that large cars like Boleros and Sumos are used by the common man and in rural areas. However, the judges have asked the manufacturers to furnish documentary evidence to prove their claim. The judges reportedly said, “Which class of people are using 2000cc vehicles? It’s used by the rich only. You are saying diesel vehicles pollute less. So are your vehicles emitting oxygen?”

Audi Q7 2015

 

Apart from the ban on sale of luxury diesel cars and SUVs, the court has also restricted transit entry heavy commercial vehicles from Delhi from four more points, which are NH 2, NH 10, NH 58, and State Highway no. 57. The ban is for heavy vehicles which are not bound for Delhi. The Supreme Court had earlier banned the transit entry of trucks and commercial vehicles into Delhi at two entry points, which is  via NH 1 and NH 8 i.e. from Karnal Road and the Jaipur-Delhi highway. Now the ban will include entry points like Loni, Ghaziabad and Faridabad.

The court had also said no commercial vehicle registered prior to 2005 will enter Delhi and all taxis will have to switch over to CNG by 1st March. The SC has exempted new light commercial diesel vehicles used for supply of essential items.

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