Diesel cars can legally emit 7.5 times more particulate matter than the petrol versions and produce more toxic nitrogen dioxide.
Hearing petitions seeking a complete ban on diesel cars in the national capital, the Supreme Court, on Tuesday, observed that "rich people can't go round in SUVs polluting the environment" and agreed to ban registration of diesel SUVs and cars over 2000cc. The order is expected on Wednesday.
"People's life is at stake and you are interested in selling cars," Chief Justice of India TS Thakur said, slamming car dealers who argued against the National Green Tribunal order banning registration of diesel cars.
Last week, the tribunal directed that
no new diesel vehicles will be registered in Delhi. The tribunal has also said that central and state government must stop buying diesel cars in Delhi. These will be interim steps till the next date of hearing on January 6, said the green court.
The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, also agreed to ban the entry of trucks registered before 2005 in the national capital region and increase the green tax for trucks entering the national capital.
On the Delhi government's plan to
allow cars with odd and even registration numbers on alternate days from January 1 to check pollution, the court said it wasn't sure if it would help. "You can implement it if it is going to help. We haven't stopped you."
Earlier on Tuesday, the court asked the state and central government to come up with a solution to clean Delhi's air. "You formulate the norms, prescribe the regime. Why don't you do it? You take the credit for cleaning Delhi. Why do you let the opportunity go?" it said.
Last week, Chief Justice Thakur had called the
pollution level in the national capital "embarrassing" and had asked for immediate solutions. "Delhi has earned a bad name that it is the most polluted city," he had said.
Around 23 per cent of the cars registered in Delhi are diesel. Diesel cars can legally emit 7.5 times more particulate matter than the petrol versions and produce more toxic nitrogen dioxide. Diesel emissions are also cancer causing, says the World Health Organization.