NGT offers relief on 10-year old diesel vehicle ban: Grants three-year extension with conditions

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has provided some relief to 10-year old diesel vehicles by extending their road validity by three years. In an earlier judgement, NGT had banned diesel vehicles older than 10 years from plying on the streets of Delhi/ NCR. The basis for this ban was that the green tribunal believed that diesel vehicles are one of the key contributors to the worsening air quality in Delhi and surrounding regions. Now though, NGT has provided partial relief for diesel vehicle owners with through the three-year extension. This extension, however, is applicable only with certain conditions and that doesn't include passenger vehicles or privately-owned vehicles.

Only those vehicles being used for transportation of petroleum products, essential goods or being used for undertaking tasks of any public authority are inclusive of this rebate. This rebate though has one more catch as these vehicles can now only ply in neighbouring areas of Delhi but will not be allowed to enter the Delhi border. Private vehicles and any other vehicles that are being used for any purpose other than the mentioned one will be considered illegal by the authorities.

Sources reveal that the NGT has also asked neighbouring states such as Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to identify low-pollution zones, where these vehicles will not be allowed to enter. This should help in ensuring that the pollution curbed from entering Delhi is not pushed into other cities.