Following the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Delhi government has announced that diesel vehicles that are 10 years or older will be de-registered on January 1, 2022.
A new set of diesel vehicles completing more than 10 years in Delhi is due for de-registration, the order by the Transport Department of Delhi Government said.
"Accordingly, the Transport Department will de-register all such diesel vehicles in Delhi on January 1, 2022, which have completed/ would be completing 10 years on that date," the order said.
The state government has also informed that no No Objection Certificate (NOC) will be issued for diesel and petrol vehicles that have completed 15 years or more on the date of applying for NOC.
NOC for diesel vehicles upto 10 years/less than 15 years old petrol vehicles can be issued for any place in the country, the order added.
"NOC for diesel vehicles above 10 years and petrol vehicles above 15 years will be issued for other states subject to a condition that such NOC will not be issued for the places which are identified by the states as restricted area in terms of order of NGT, which had directed the states to identify areas where the dispersion of the air in higher and vehicular density is least," it mentioned.
Delhi Government has also given an option to the vehicle owners to convert their 10 years old diesel/ 15 years old petrol vehicles to electric, in case, they wish to ply their vehicles in the NCT of Delhi.
However, the retro fitment of such vehicles with empanelled electric kits shall have to be got done through agencies approved by Transport Department. The empanelment process for electric kits is under process.
"In all other cases, the only recourse would be to scrap the vehicles which are more than 10 years old (diesel) and 15 years old (petrol). This issues with the approval of Minister (Transport), GNCT of Delhi," the order added.
According to official figures, there are 38 lakh overaged vehicles in Delhi including 3 lakh diesel vehicles that are more than 10 years old and around 35 lakh petrol vehicles that are more than 15 years old.
The NGT had in 2015 ordered that more than 10 years old diesel vehicles be not allowed to ply on Delhi-NCR roads.
In NGT had in August this year refused to modify its order directing the deregistration of diesel vehicles, that emissions from diesel vehicles were carcinogenic. It also cited a report published by the Central Pollution Control Board, which said the use of diesel in vehicles, which are highly toxic, and carcinogenic, leads to an untimely fatality.
In October 2018, the Supreme Court had prohibited the plying of 15-year-old petrol and 10-year-old diesel vehicles in the national capital.
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