Delhi Government’s Perplexing Move to Lift Ban on Old Vehicles

Strangely, the Delhi government has urged the Supreme Court to lift the blanket ban on aged vehicles and allow those that pass the fitness test, irrespective of their ages, to ply on the roads. Reacting to the plea, many environmentalists have termed it as an act of a confused government that has no clue about the severity of the pollution problem. According to them, people living in the national capital will not be able to breathe in fresh air if all old vehicles that emit more pollutants are kept away from the city roads. But forgetting its promise of clean air and water, the state government is virtually helping the polluters, they allege. This is why various organisations fighting pollution are readying themselves to take on the state government when the matter is taken up in the Supreme Court by the end of this month.

On its part, the Delhi government sees nothing wrong in urging the Supreme Court to lift the blanket ban imposed on the old vehicles. “A polluting vehicle should be phased out even if it is five years old. However, if a vehicle does not cause any pollution and passes the fitness test, then there should be no condition on it,” stated Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, arguing that the failure of the previous governments had virtually forced the apex court to pass the prohibitory order. It is clear from her statement that the ruling party in Delhi has taken a different route in its fight against pollution without realising that such a stand in reality can weaken the fight against pollution as vehicular pollution contributes generously to air pollution in Delhi. It may be mentioned that West Bengal Transport Department has ordered the scrapping of commercial vehicles, including taxis, that are 15 years or older in Kolkata with an aim to improve the city's air quality, while several other Indian cities are reportedly planning to take a similar measure amid rising pollution.

The Delhi government’s plea seeking to recall the Supreme Court’s order passed on October 29, 2018, upholding the National Green Tribunal's initial directive, is perplexing. Instead of urging the apex court to lift the ban on aged vehicles, the Delhi government should do well if it draws a plan to reduce the volume of traffic on the city roads, considering the fact that the city has a well-planned metro network in place. People should be encouraged to travel in this pollution-free mode of mass transport to improve the city’s air quality. Reducing vehicle movement is crucial for combating air pollution. Otherwise, the dream of breathing clean air will remain a distant dream for Delhites.