De-Register Diesel Vehicles Over 10 Years Old: NGT to Delhi RTO

The NGT order will be effective immediately. Delhi RTO will submit a list of vehicles to be de-registered.

NGT decision will be a blow to the auto industry. (Photo: Reuters)

The National Green Tribunal on Monday directed the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Delhi to de-register with immediate effect all diesel vehicles which are more than 10 years old.

The green panel said the RTO, after de-registration, will issue a public notice and supply the list of such vehicles to the Delhi Traffic Police, which will take appropriate steps in consonance with the directions of the tribunal.

It also directed the Ministry of Heavy Industries to file an affidavit giving the status of electric and hybrid vehicles in the country and also mention what benefits the ministry was considering for those who wish to dispose of their old vehicles.

In an earlier hearing, the tribunal had indicated de-registration of 10 years old diesel vehicles after it was told by the counsel for Delhi government that over 3,000 such vehicles were impounded in the last one year.

It had taken the Delhi government to task for its failure to implement the order which banned such vehicles from plying on the roads. To this, the government’s counsel had said that due to lack of law in this regard, the impounded vehicles got relief from the magisterial court.

In light of severe noise pollution, the tribunal also banned the use of pressure horns in the national capital.

“Vehicles using pressure horns and two wheelers which have removed their silencers shall not be permitted to ply on the roads in the national capital,” a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

(With inputs from PTI)

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