NGT orders de-registration of 10-year-old diesel vehicles in Delhi

In yet another missive, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has today banned diesel vehicles over 10 years old from plying on Delhi roads. Such vehicles are to be immediately de-registered by the Road Transport Department of Delhi and an update given to the Green Court about the status.

Autocar Professional spoke to an official from the Delhi Road Transport department about the NGT order de-registering diesel vehicles. The official said the order is expected to reach their office in a day or two. After studying it, the order would be implemented in spirit immediately.

Earlier in May, the National Green Tribunal in Kochi, Kerala had ordered all diesel vehicles over 10 years old to be taken off the roads in six major cities of the state over the next 30 days. In addition, no new permits for vehicles with over 2000cc engine capacity except public transport were to be granted with violations to be fined Rs 5,000. The Supreme Court had later on put a stay on the order. 

In December 2015, the Supreme Court had banned above 2000cc diesel engine cars from plying on Delhi-NCR roads, a move that continues to adversely impact sales of manufacturers like Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Mercedes-Benz India and Mahindra & Mahindra. The Supreme Court on subsequent petitions is re-considering its directive and the industry is hopeful the ban will be lifted in the near future.