New Delhi: The Supreme Court today heard a plea filed by the Delhi government, seeking enforcement directions on the ban on old petrol and diesel vehicles within the capital.
The plea highlights the need for strict implementation of existing court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives, which prohibit petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years from operating on Delhi roads due to concerns about pollution.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai considered the matter and sought a status report from the authorities on the implementation and monitoring mechanisms adopted so far.
The court has indicated that the matter will be taken up further after submission of the report, given the urgency of addressing environmental degradation and public health hazards in the national capital.
In a related issue, the apex court also set up a special bench to hear old motor accident cases.
In a move aimed at reducing case pendency, the apex court constituted a special bench to exclusively hear old Motor Accident Claim Tribunal (MACT) cases and criminal appeals.
According to a notice issued by the Supreme Court Registry on July 29, the newly formed bench will comprise Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice NV Anjaria, and will sit every Monday and Friday at starting August 1.
The Registry has also appealed to members of the bar, parties-in-person, and all stakeholders to cooperate by avoiding adjournment requests so that pendency in these matters can be effectively reduced.
