“We can’t keep on extending the time. We are not extending it now and not going to make any exceptions. There is technology available, you convert,” a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said while rejecting the plea that it would affect livelihood of poor drivers as there is no technology available for conversion of diesel vehicles into CNG ones.
The Bench, also comprising Justices A K Sikri and R Banumathi, had on March 31, extended the deadline till Saturday for conversion of all diesel taxis to CNG. Diwan made a strong and emotional plea for modification of the order saying: “We will not be able to earn our livelihood. Moreover, we have to pay the bank also.”
A senior Delhi government official said about 60,000 taxis is registered in Delhi and of them 21,000 run on diesel.
“There is already ban on diesel cabs plying on local routes here. Taxis having all-India permit are required to cover around 200 km which is not violation of the existing rules. Taxis having all-India permits cannot ply from one point to other point inside Delhi,” the official said.
The court had on December 16 last year considered the contention of senior advocate Harish Salve, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae, that all diesel taxis be moved to CNG fuel within a reasonable time but not later than March 1, 2016.
“We, therefore, direct that all taxis including those operating under aggregators like Ola and Uber in the NCT of Delhi, plying under city permits shall move to CNG not later than March, 1,” it had said and later extended up to April 30.
Also, the Supreme Court on Saturday adjourned its special day-long hearing on pollution in the NCR to May 9, which means the ban in the region on the registration of diesel cars above 2000 CC will continue.
The Apex Court was on Saturday hearing several pleas related to its recent rulings to curb pollution in the national Capital. Among the pleas is one from auto makers to lift the ban on the registration of high-end diesel cars with an engine capacity of 2000cc in the National Capital Region.
The interim order banned registration of diesel-run vehicles with engine capacity of 2000cc and above until April 30.
The Supreme Court also allowed the Delhi Police to purchase heavy duty diesel vehicles to carry out its duties, after it had stopped sale of diesel SUVS and luxury cars with more than 2,000cc engine capacity in the national Capital last year.
Last year, in a desperate bid to cut pollution levels in the national Capital, the Apex Court had banned registration of luxury diesel cars.
A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur asked Delhi Police to pay 30 per cent of the real value of the vehicle to be purchased by it as Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) or green cess as a pre-condition for their registration with the transport department.
The Bench, however, exempted Delhi Jal Board (DJB) from paying ECC on the ground that around 250 water tankers would be supplying water to the citizens of the city.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the Delhi government, said that DJB has phased out 270 water tankers as they were 10 years old and 250 new tankers have to be registered with the transport authority.