The Supreme Court of India has allowed authorities to enforce restrictions on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), reaffirming strict measures to combat severe air pollution in the region.
The decision permits action against end of life vehicles particularly those that do not meet the Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) emission standards. The court clarified that older vehicles emitting higher pollutants pose a serious threat to public health and environmental safety in the national capital.
Earlier the apex court had provided interim relief by pausing coercive action against old vehicles while the matter was under consideration. However, following concerns raised by authorities about the rising number of highly polluting vehicles returning to city roads the court allowed enforcement to resume in the interest of cleaner air.
Under the ruling:
- Diesel vehicles older than 10 years
- Petrol vehicles older than 15 years
can be restricted, deregistered or impounded if they fail to meet the required emission norms.
The ban applies only to Delhi and NCR districts where air quality frequently reaches hazardous levels especially during winter months. Authorities have stated that older vehicles contribute significantly to particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions worsening smog conditions.
The court’s order strengthens earlier directions issued to reduce vehicular pollution and supports the government’s efforts to phase out outdated, high emission vehicles from the roads. Enforcement agencies have been authorised to take necessary action, including denying fuel, cancelling registrations and removing non compliant vehicles.
The ruling is expected to impact thousands of vehicle owners in Delhi NCR, pushing a shift toward cleaner, newer vehicles and encouraging compliance with modern emission standards.
The Supreme Court reiterated that public health and the right to clean air outweigh individual inconvenience, stressing the urgent need for long-term solutions to Delhi’s air pollution crisis.
