Supreme Court Revokes Protection for Polluting Vehicles in Delhi-NCR

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The Supreme Court has modified its August 12 order to no longer protect owners of vehicles with emission standards below BS-IV from coercive action in Delhi-NCR. This decision comes after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) recommended restricting the plying of End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles due to their significant contribution to pollution in the region. The CAQM pointed out that despite the August 12 order, vehicles with emission standards of BS-III and below continued to operate in Delhi and NCR, exacerbating the city's poor air quality. These vehicles have been in circulation for over a decade, with BS-III vehicles having been on the roads for more than 15 years, BS-II vehicles for over 20 years, and BS-I vehicles for over 24 years. To address this issue, the CAQM had previously directed the denial of fuel to EoL vehicles from November 1, 2025, and to five high-vehicle-density districts in NCR from April 1, 2026. The Supreme Court's modified order will allow state authorities to take coercive steps against owners of vehicles with emission standards below BS-IV, bringing relief to the city's residents who have been affected by the poor air quality. This decision is a significant step towards improving air quality in Delhi-NCR and reducing the health risks associated with vehicular pollution. The National Green Tribunal had previously passed orders in 2014-2015 to restrict the plying of EoL vehicles in the NCR, and the Supreme Court had confirmed this decision in 2018.