Supreme Court Mandates BS-4 Compliant Engines for Delhi Vehicles to Combat Air Pollution

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court has modified its previous directive regarding older vehicles in Delhi, now specifying that only vehicles with BS-4 compliant engines and above will be exempt from restrictions. This clarification comes as part of efforts to combat the severe air pollution crisis affecting the capital city.

Previously, the court had issued an order prohibiting 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles from operating in Delhi starting December 18. These older vehicles typically feature BS-III (Bharat Stage 3) compliant engines, while the more environmentally friendly BS-IV engines were introduced later.

Initially, following a petition from the Delhi government, the Supreme Court had directed that strict measures would not be taken against these older vehicles, creating confusion for both vehicle owners and enforcement agencies.

Today's clarification came in response to a request from the Central pollution watchdog CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management). The Commission emphasized that vehicles with older BS-III engines contribute significantly to Delhi's pollution levels and should not receive exemptions, particularly given the extreme pollution conditions currently enveloping the Delhi-NCR region.

The decision to target older engine vehicles follows mounting evidence that vehicular emissions remain the primary contributor to Delhi's seasonal smog problem each winter.

According to data presented by the CAQM to the Supreme Court, approximately 93 percent of the 2.88 crore vehicles operating in Delhi-NCR are light motor vehicles, including cars and two-wheelers. Around 37 percent of these vehicles run on BS-III or older engine technologies. These outdated engines emit 2.5 to 31 times more particulate matter, 6.25 to 12 times more nitrogen oxides, and 1.28 to 5.4 times more carbon monoxide compared to newer vehicles.

As Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) continues to deteriorate, the Prime Minister's office has mandated strict enforcement against polluting vehicles.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa today announced several new initiatives to address vehicular pollution. These include denying fuel to vehicles without valid PUCC (Pollution Under Control Certificate) certificates, implementing an integrated traffic system to reduce idling time and emissions at traffic signals, and launching a car-pooling application.