Supreme Court Clarifies Rule on Older Vehicles in Delhi, Allows Only BS-IV and Above

The Supreme Court on Tuesday revised its earlier directions on restrictions for older vehicles in Delhi, stating that only vehicles meeting BS-IV emission standards or higher will be spared from action amid the capital’s worsening air quality.

Earlier, the court had ruled that 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles would not face immediate enforcement, following a plea by the Delhi government. However, this order created confusion for both vehicle owners and authorities, as most vehicles of that age fall under the BS-III emission category.

The clarification came after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) approached the court, highlighting that BS-III and older vehicles significantly contribute to air pollution and should not receive any exemption. Accepting the argument, the court made it clear that only BS-IV compliant vehicles and above would be allowed to operate without penalty.

Data presented by CAQM showed that a large share of vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region are light motor vehicles, with a substantial number running on BS-III or older engines. These vehicles emit far higher levels of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide compared to newer models, making them a major factor behind the seasonal smog in the region.

With air quality levels continuing to deteriorate, authorities have intensified measures to curb vehicular pollution. The Delhi government has announced additional steps, including restricting entry of non-BS-VI vehicles into the city, denying fuel to vehicles without valid pollution certificates, and introducing traffic management reforms to reduce congestion and emissions.