The Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court seeking to lift the blanket ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, arguing that a more nuanced, science-based approach to curbing pollution is needed.
A 3-judge bench led by Chief Justice Bhushan R Gavai is expected to hear the matter on July 28, 2025.
Plea Seeks Review Of 2018 Supreme Court Order
The petition seeks a recall of the apex court’s order dated October 29, 2018, which had upheld the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) blanket ban on older vehicles. That directive enforced a strict age-based prohibition on petrol and diesel vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR) without factoring in individual emissions or vehicle condition.
The Delhi government’s plea argues that such a uniform ban is “overly broad” and lacks a scientific basis. Instead, it calls for a comprehensive vehicle fitness policy that considers actual emission levels of each vehicle, rather than relying solely on age.
Government Proposes Emission-Based Criteria
In its submission, the Delhi government highlights the need for an updated policy involving a detailed assessment by the Centre and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The proposed study would compare the environmental impact of the current age-based restrictions against a potential shift to emission-based standards.
According to the plea, adopting a more technologically sound method would allow well-maintained, lower-emitting vehicles to continue operating while still targeting high-pollution sources.
Background
The legal roots of the controversy go back to the NGT’s November 26, 2014, order, which had imposed sweeping restrictions on older vehicles in NCR to combat rising air pollution.
The NGT stated, “All vehicles, diesel or petrol, which are more than 15 years old shall not be permitted to ply on the roads… The vehicles which are more than 15 years old will not be permitted to be parked in any public area, and they shall be towed away and challaned by the police in accordance with the law.”
This order was later affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2018, resulting in strict enforcement by the NCR transport departments.
With the Supreme Court now set to revisit the issue, the outcome of the July 28 hearing could significantly reshape how vehicle-related pollution is regulated in Delhi-NCR. The case raises critical questions about balancing environmental protection with practical transportation needs and technological advancements in vehicle emissions monitoring.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
