In a significant development concerning air quality management in the National Capital Region, the Supreme Court of India has altered its previous directive regarding the enforcement against older diesel and petrol vehicles in Delhi. This modification comes in response to an application filed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), highlighting the severe contribution of older, more polluting engines to the region's deteriorating air quality. The revised order aims to intensify efforts to curb vehicular pollution, a major contributor to Delhi-NCR's persistent air quality challenges.
Revisiting the August 12th Order
Earlier, on August 12th, the Supreme Court had issued an order providing a temporary reprieve to owners of older vehicles by directing authorities not to take coercive action against 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles, while this decision had offered a sense of relief to a large segment of vehicle owners in Delhi who were concerned about potential enforcement actions. However, the bench, comprising Chief Justice Suryakant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi, on. Wednesday, clarified that this relief would exclusively apply to vehicles adhering to BS4 or BS6 emission norms. Consequently, vehicles compliant with BS3 or older emission standards are now subject to enforcement actions, marking a stricter stance against highly polluting vehicles.
The revised order has substantial implications for a vast number of vehicle owners across India, particularly those with BS1, BS2, and BS3 compliant engines. According to data presented, over 14. 7 lakh BS1 vehicles, more than 38, while 7 lakh BS2 vehicles, and approximately 53. 7 lakh BS3 vehicles will be directly affected by this ruling. In India, 15-year-old petrol and 10-year-old diesel vehicles typically feature BS-III (Bharat Stage 3) compliant engines or older. The CAQM's findings underscore the gravity of the situation, revealing that out of 2. 88 crore vehicles operating in Delhi-NCR, roughly 93 percent are light motor vehicles, including cars and two-wheelers. A significant portion, about 37%, of these vehicles run on BS3 or even older engines. These older vehicles are reported to emit substantially higher levels of pollutants compared to newer models, contributing 2. 5 to 31 times more particulate matter, 6. 25 to 12 times more nitrogen oxides, and 1. 28 to 5. 4 times more carbon monoxide, making them a primary source of air pollution in the region.
CAQM's Stance on Pollution Control
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had approached the Supreme Court with an application, emphasizing the critical need to address vehicular pollution in Delhi-NCR. The central pollution control body argued that vehicles with older engines, specifically those compliant with BSIII and earlier standards, are major contributors to air pollution and shouldn't be granted any exemptions. The data submitted by CAQM aimed to demonstrate the disproportionate impact of these older vehicles on the region's air quality, advocating for their removal from the roads to mitigate environmental damage. The CAQM found that a significant percentage of vehicles on the road operate on older, less efficient engines, leading to a continuous increase in harmful pollutant emissions, while senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, Amicus Curiae in the pending air pollution case, also highlighted that BS-IV norms were introduced in 2010, meaning BS-III models predate this standard and are inherently more polluting.
Delhi Government's Response and Future Measures
Following the Supreme Court's modified order, Delhi's Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, commented on the implications. He stated that currently, vehicles below BS6 standards aren't permitted to enter Delhi. On top of that, he reiterated the policy that fuel will only be dispensed upon showing a valid pollution certificate, a measure aimed at ensuring compliance with emission norms. The Minister clarified that BS4 diesel vehicles registered in Delhi wouldn't be stopped, but the government would thoroughly review the Supreme Court's latest order to determine further actions and implementation strategies. The Delhi government is committed to enforcing this decision and taking necessary steps to improve air quality.
Understanding Bharat Stage Emission Norms
Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms are standards set by the Indian. Government to regulate the output of air pollutants from internal combustion engines. These norms are crucial for reducing harmful emissions such as particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO) from vehicles. The BS4 norms were introduced in 2010, meaning that BS3 models predate this standard and adhere to less stringent emission requirements, while the Supreme Court's decision is a pivotal step towards enforcing stricter environmental regulations and removing older, more polluting vehicles from the roads, thereby aiming to improve the air quality in Delhi-NCR and ensure a healthier urban environment for its residents. This ruling underscores the judiciary's active role in environmental protection.
The Path Forward for Air Quality
With the Supreme Court's modified directive, the Delhi government and other relevant authorities now have the legal backing to take stringent action against 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles that are compliant with BS3 or older emission norms. This measure is an integral part of a broader strategy to combat severe air pollution in Delhi-NCR, striving to ensure cleaner air and protect public health, while it's anticipated that this decision will lead to a noticeable improvement in Delhi's air quality, contributing to a more sustainable urban environment.
