The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has told the Supreme Court that lack of tough action by authorities and a top court order allow end-of-life vehicles to still ply in the national capital.
The Commission said over 63 lakh over-aged vehicles are used in the capital, and contribute to the air pollution.
The CAQM, represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, submitted that its efforts to strictly ensure that these end-of-life vehicles were taken off the roads were thwarted by the lack of proper coercive action coupled with the Supreme Court’s order on August 12, lifting restrictions on them. The number of vehicles impounded in Delhi till June 2025 was 35,558 compared to 22,397 vehicles in 2024.
“Towards controlling vehicular pollution caused by old/ end-of-life vehicles owing to much inferior emission standards, the Commission has taken up with the States concerned and GNCTD to strictly ensure that petrol/ diesel vehicles more than 15/10 years old do not ply in the NCR... Progress in this regard, however, has been far from satisfactory for any of the NCR States and NCT of Delhi,” the CAQM submitted in a status report.
The Commission said over 15 years have been completed for BS-III Standard vehicles whereas more than 20 years have been completed for BS-II Standard vehicles and BS-I vehicles have been around for 24 years. It said these vehicles still run on the capital’s roads despite their “higher polluting potential”.
