Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
India

Indian SC Bans Diesel SUVs Registration, Car Dealers Term It Inappropriate

Desk IANS, 16 Dec, 2015 12:52 PM
    The Supreme Court on Wednesday doubled the environment compensation charge (ECC) for loaded commercial vehicles entering Delhi and imposed a blanket ban on registration of diesel vehicles of 2,000 cc and above in the National Capital Region (NCR).
     
    A bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice R. Banumathi said no commercial vehicle registered prior to 2005 will enter Delhi and all taxis will have to switch over to CNG by March 1, next year.
     
    However, the decision was dubbed inappropriate by car dealers in the city who insisted that the ban should have been imposed on all categories for SUVs if pollution was the only reason behind the ban of high end diesel SUV cars.
     
    "What type of decision is this? Why ban SUVs of 2,000 cc and above and not all SUVs if pollution is really an issue?
     
    "We will have to cancel all our advance bookings for bulky SUVs. As per the Supreme Court decision, only two of our SUVs -- Quanto and TUV 300 -- can be sold. We are going to face huge job cuts this way," Sachin Chaudhary, branch manager at Delhi-based Koncept Mahindra, told IANS.
     
    The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), however, supported the Supreme Court's ruling and said: "The current emissions standards in India legally allow diesel cars to emit more particulate matter and nitrogen oxides -- which are the most serious pollutants of concern in our city's air -- than petrol cars."
     
    According to Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), diesel cars emit five times more particulate matter and seven times more total air toxins compared to petrol cars.
     
    According to reports, SUV sales of above 2000 cc and other in November was about 20,000 units, while the diesel version of Maruti's Swift Dzire alone sold over 21,000.
     
    Anand Mahindra, chairman and managing director of Mahindra and Mahindra Group, tweeted: "So even if we believe the decision on diesel vehicles isn't optimal, we'll honour it and develop vehicles that comply with their stipulations."
     
    In fact, M&M, the country's third largest automaker with a market share of 7.86 percent, will be the worst hit by the judgment as it has a massive lineup of diesel SUVs and utility vehicles. Its best-selling vehicles -- Scorpio and XUV 500 -- too have a 2,179 cc engine.
     
    Banning registration of SUVs and private cars of and above 2,000 cc engine capacity using diesel as fuel up to March 31, the apex court said: "We are of the view that the new commercial light duty diesel vehicles can for the present continue being registered in Delhi on account of the dependence of the public on such vehicles for supply of essentials."
     
    On the other hand, 100 percent increase in ECC would mean that light commercial vehicles with two axles loaded with goods will pay Rs.1,400 and loaded commercial vehicles with three and four axles will pay Rs.2,600 to enter Delhi.
     
    However, empty commercial vehicles in both categories would continue to pay the old ECC of Rs.700 and Rs.1,300, respectively.
     
    The court noted that its October 7 order imposing the ECC was intended to restrain non-Delhi bound vehicles from entering the national capital. But it appears to have been understood to mean that vehicles not bound for Delhi could also enter by paying ECC.
     
    Having doubled the ECC for the loaded commercial vehicles, the court said commercial vehicles "registered in 2005 or earlier shall not qualify for such entry" and asked state governments and union territories to ensure that vehicles bearing registration numbers of 2005 or earlier do not enter Delhi.
     
    The apex court also directed that all taxis including those operating under aggregators like Ola and Uber in the NCT shall move to CNG not later than March 1, next year. The private taxi service providers supported the decision.
     
    "Pollution and congestion are two major issues that are plaguing lives of citizens of Delhi which can only be resolved through a collaborative effort by the government, courts, public and private transport operators. We support the Supreme Court's ruling that encourages better air conditions and environment for the city," said Meru cab providers in a statement.
     
    "CNG fuel is ideal for a city like Delhi where supply is not an issue. Currently operating at full capacity, Meru will be augmenting more CNG cabs in the capital," the statement said.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    There is 'Some Amount of Intolerance', says Venkaiah Naidu

    There is 'Some Amount of Intolerance', says Venkaiah Naidu
    Admitting "some amount of intolerance" exists in the society, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday that the issues need to be "localised and dealt with firmly".

    There is 'Some Amount of Intolerance', says Venkaiah Naidu

    Chasing Jagtar Singh Tara: How Mastermind Of Punjab CM Beant Singh's Assassination Was Caught

    Chasing Jagtar Singh Tara: How Mastermind Of Punjab CM Beant Singh's Assassination Was Caught
    Former Delhi Police chief Neeraj Kumar says that nabbing the mastermind of Punjab chief minister Sardar Beant Singh's assassination was the most dangerous operation he ever undertook.

    Chasing Jagtar Singh Tara: How Mastermind Of Punjab CM Beant Singh's Assassination Was Caught

    Mahajokepal: Swaraj Abhiyan Dares Arvind Kejriwal For Public Debate On Jan Lokpal Bill

    Mahajokepal: Swaraj Abhiyan Dares Arvind Kejriwal For Public Debate On Jan Lokpal Bill
    Having termed ruling AAP's 2015 ombudsman bill "Mahajokepal", the Swaraj Abhiyan on Sunday challenged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to a public debate on the Jan Lokpal Bill.

    Mahajokepal: Swaraj Abhiyan Dares Arvind Kejriwal For Public Debate On Jan Lokpal Bill

    Learn From P Chidambaram, Lift Ban On My Serial: Taslima Nasreen To Mamata

    Learn From P Chidambaram, Lift Ban On My Serial: Taslima Nasreen To Mamata
    The broadcast of the author’s serial about a Hindu family settled in Kolkata was stopped on the then newly launched ‘Aakash Aath’ channel in December 2013.

    Learn From P Chidambaram, Lift Ban On My Serial: Taslima Nasreen To Mamata

    Noor Jehan Overjoyed By PM Narendra Modi’s Words Of Praise In ‘Mann Ki Baat’

    Noor Jehan Overjoyed By PM Narendra Modi’s Words Of Praise In ‘Mann Ki Baat’
    "I am extremely happy that the Prime Minister took my name and praised my work. It is a morale booster," Noor Jehan said as she welcomed scores of BJP leaders and media persons who flocked her home.

    Noor Jehan Overjoyed By PM Narendra Modi’s Words Of Praise In ‘Mann Ki Baat’

    Pakistani Spy Racket Busted; BSF Man, ISI-linked Handler Arrested

    Pakistani Spy Racket Busted; BSF Man, ISI-linked Handler Arrested
    Kafaitullah Khan alias Master Raja (44) and Border Security Force (BSF) head constable Abdul Rasheed were arrested from Jammu on November 26.

    Pakistani Spy Racket Busted; BSF Man, ISI-linked Handler Arrested