Strictness On BS-3 And Below EOL Vehicles In Delhi-NCR, Supreme Court Ends Security

Digital Desk, New Delhi. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi, while hearing the petition of Delhi Government, has partially amended its order passed on August 12, 2025 in the case related to air pollution. This order pertains to action against old BS-3 model vehicles in view of the deteriorating air quality in Delhi. Under the new order, the Supreme Court has ended the protection given to end-of-life (EOL) vehicles with poor emission standards of BS-3 and below in Delhi-NCR.

Delhi government had sought permission to take action on old vehicles

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, on behalf of the Delhi government, had requested the court to amend the August 12 order to allow action against vehicles up to BS-3. He argued that the emission standards of old vehicles are very poor and they are continuously increasing air pollution.

Relief to BS-4 and new vehicles

The bench ordered that the August 12 order be modified to the extent that no coercive steps will be taken against owners of BS-IV and newer vehicles merely on the ground that they are older than 10 years in the case of diesel engines or 15 years in the case of petrol engines.

Old instructions of NGT and Supreme Court

It is noteworthy that in the year 2015, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed that diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years will not be driven in Delhi-NCR. This order was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

Guidelines were made in 2024

The Delhi government had issued detailed guidelines for the management and disposal of end-of-life (EoL) vehicles in public places by the year 2024, to make pollution control more effective.

Order to stop fuel supply and then postponement

Recently, the Delhi government had ordered that from July 1, 2025, vehicles that have completed their age will not be given fuel at petrol pumps. However, this order was later postponed due to public opposition.

New order came after the revised ban

Following public reaction, the Delhi government had sought amendments to the restrictions. On the basis of this, the order of 12th August was passed. Now, after the new directive of the Supreme Court, relief has been given to BS-4 and newer vehicles, while the way for strictness on older and more polluting vehicles has been kept open.

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