The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to ban registration of diesel vehicles and cars over 2000cc and the order is likely to come out on Wednesday.
"People's life is at stake and you are interested in selling cars... rich people can't go round in SUVs polluting the environment," Chief Justice of India TS Thakur observed while hearing a petition seeking a ban on diesel vehicles in 13 cities, including Delhi.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued an order to ban registration of diesel cars. However, the order was challenged by car dealers, who were slammed by the SC during the hearing. The NGT had issued directives asking the central and Delhi governments to stop the purchase of diesel cars.
Besides, the SC also agreed to increase the green tax for trucks entering Delhi. It is also in favour of banning entry of trucks in the National Capital Region if they have registration prior to 2005. The directives were issued in the wake of growing pollution levels in the national capital.
Meanwhile, Delhi's AAP government is working on its odd-even scheme that is scheduled to come into effect from 1 January 2016. According to the scheme, the vehicles with odd number plates will ply on odd dates and even number plates on even dates.
