India court bans sale of 800,000 cars over emission

NEW DELHI: India’s top court has banned the sale of more than 800,000 new cars which fall short of new emissions standards, declaring public health more important than company profits.

The Supreme Court ordered a halt to the sale and registration of vehicles that will not meet new pollution standards come Apr 1, when a cleaner model of engine will become the norm.

The ruling is expected to affect as many as 824,000 vehicles not yet sold or registered, said the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

“The health of the people is far, far more important than the commercial interests of the manufacturers or the loss that they are likely to suffer,” Judges MB Lokur and Deepak Gupta said in their order.— AFP