New Delhi: In a move to curb the alarming rise in pollution levels in the national capital, the supreme court has banned registration Diesel SUVs and cars above 2000cc in the entire national capital region till March 31, saying the decision will not affect the common man.
The apex court has also directed all taxi services in NCR to move to CNG before 31st march 2016.
The top court also ruled that commercial vehicles registered before 2005, which are not Delhi bound, will not be allowed to enter the national capital through entry points NH-8 and NH-1.
SC has also doubled the Green cess being levied on commercial vehicles entering Delhi.
The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice T.S. Thakur said that no commercial vehicle registered prior to 2005 will enter Delhi and all the taxis will have to switch over to CNG by March 31, 2016
In a relief to the ordinary commuters, the Supreme Court exempted small diesel cars from the ambit of its order.
An indication to this effect was given by the Supreme Court on Tuesday when it said that the rich can't be allowed to keep on driving diesel-driven SUVs that pollute the environment.
T S Thakur said on Tuesday that the latest drive to clean the environment should begin from the “rich and affluent” who can afford to contribute more towards the environment than the common man who may have just one car.
The apex court also slammed car manufacturers who had knocked at its doors against the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order banning registration of diesel cars in the capital.
Last week, the National Green Tribunal had directed that no new diesel vehicles will be registered in Delhi. The tribunal has also said that central and state government must stop buying diesel cars in Delhi. These will be interim steps till the next date of hearing on January 6, said the green court.
