No 2000cc+ Diesel Cars Till March 2016: Supreme Court 2015 in M.C. Mehta vs UOITightens Pollution Control in Delhi-NCR. The Supreme Court in M.C. Mehta vs Union OfIndia & Ors took emergency measures against Delhi air pollution. The Court on held thatdiesel vehicles of 2000cc and above contribute disproportionately to pollution andbanned their registration till 31.3.2016. The Court also doubled ECC for trucks, stoppedtransit traffic from NH-1 and NH-8, and ordered time-bound action on CNG taxis, roaddust and construction pollution. This blog explains M.C. Mehta 2015 on judicialintervention, polluter pays principle and State duty under Article 21.[2015]
Facts: ECC and Diversion Failed; Amicus Seeks Stronger Steps. he Supreme Courtin M.C. Mehta para 2: Despite 9.10.2015 order, pollution worsened. Amicus submittedvehicles not bound for Delhi were entering on payment of ECC.The Supreme Court inM.C. Mehta para 4: SG submitted consensus reached with GNCTD and MCD onenhancement of ECC and diversion.The Supreme Court in M.C. Mehta para 6: Courtnoted 2001 M.C. Mehta order already directed that transit vehicles should not passthrough Delhi.A common mistake is treating ECC as entry fee. M.C. Mehta clarifies ECCis to deter, not to permit.
Vehicular Measures: Ban, Diversion and Fleet Conversion. The Supreme Court inM.C. Mehta para 9: Limited restraint to NH-1 Kundli and NH-8 Rajokri as "largest numberof vehicles" enter from these points.The Supreme Court in M.C. Mehta para 13: Ban onSUVs and private diesel cars >2000cc "will not therefore affect the common man".Commercial light duty diesel vehicles allowed for now.The Supreme Court in M.C.Mehta para 14: Consensus on moving all taxis to CNG by 1.3.2016.In our practice, wecite M.C. Mehta to argue that courts can regulate automobile sales for public health.
Non-Vehicular Pollution: Dust, Construction and Waste. The Supreme Court in M.C.Mehta para 15: Directed vacuum cleaning of roads and paving of roadsides byGNCTD.The Supreme Court in M.C. Mehta para 17: CPCB norms at construction sitesmust be enforced with curtains.The Supreme Court in M.C. Mehta para 18: Burning ofsolid waste by local bodies is "impermissible". Scientific disposal mandated. KeyTakeaway: Implementation Timeline
The Supreme Court in M.C. Mehta set deadlines: CNG by 1.3.2016, Vacuum cleaning by1.4.2016, Ban till 31.3.2016. Case listed on 5.1.2016.
Conclusion
M.C. Mehta vs UOI establishes that delhi pollution supreme court 2015 diesel car ban isabout urgent judicial response. Supreme Court 2015 balanced trade and health byallowing commercial diesel but banning luxury diesel. Court used ECC, traffic diversionand fleet conversion as tools. Article 21 mandates State to ensure clean air. As the lawstands, authorities must implement deadlines strictly. For residents of NCR, thisjudgment is foundational for right to breathe clean air. The Supreme Court’s ruling inM.C. Mehta remains relevant for every winter pollution crisis.
