Registration of diesel cars banned in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal on Friday banned registration of new diesel vehicles in Delhi amid rising concerns over pollution in the city. It also told the government to not renew the registration of diesel vehicles more than 10 years old.

Diesel is seen as a bigger pollutant than petrol. But it is a big driver of sales for carmakers, who refused to comment.

Their silence may be caused by shock. Of the new cars registered in Delhi, close to half run on diesel. The buses use CNG, but the trucks are all diesel.

The move comes at a time when the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition seeking a complete ban on diesel cars in the Capital and other cities. The case will come up for hearing next week.

“This (NGT) order has no data or scientific logic. Studies show only 2.5% of pollution comes from cars. We will appeal,” said Vishnu Mathur, director-general of the industry lobby Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

The consolation is that it is an interim ban, which the tribunal will review on January 6, after talking to all the parties concerned.

“We also direct the government to take a conscientious decision in regard to not buying any diesel vehicle,” said the order passed by NGT head Swatanter Kumar.

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