New Delhi, Jan 28 (UNI) The Supreme Court directed the strict implementation of its 2018 order mandating colour-coded stickers on vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR) to indicate fuel types, as part of efforts to combat Delhi’s worsening pollution crisis.
A Bench comprising Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on Monday ordered NCR States to ensure that Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates are not issued to vehicles lacking the mandated colour-coded stickers.
“NCR States shall issue a direction that no PUC certificate shall be issued unless compliance is made with the said order,” the Court instructed.
The Apex Court reiterated that light blue stickers should be pasted on petrol/CNG vehicles, while orange stickers should be used for diesel vehicles, a directive originally set for implementation by October 2, 2018.
Addressing non-compliance, the Bench ordered a crackdown on vehicles registered on or after April 1, 2019, with penalties imposed under Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The Court also emphasized that vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, must comply with the colour-coded sticker rule, and directed NCR States to file an affidavit within a month outlining enforcement strategies.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, acting as amicus curiae, informed the Court that
deadlines for implementing pollution emission standards for thermal power plants in NCR have been extended till 2027 for plants within 10 km of NCR, till 2028 for plants in critically polluted areas, and till 2029 for others. Plants “retiring” by 2030 have been exempted.
Justice Oka expressed concern over these extensions, cautioning that they effectively grant thermal plants a license to pollute.
“Where do we get the definition of ‘retiring units’ and ‘non-retiring units’? The deadline extension gives them a license to create pollution in the meanwhile,” he remarked.
The Court directed the Central government to clarify the provisions for “retiring” and “non-retiring” thermal plants and to provide details on the classification of the 35 thermal plant units in NCR.
It also tasked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consult with the Union Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment and Forests to recommend pollution control norms.
Expressing discontent over the generation of over 3,000 tons of untreated solid waste daily, the Bench criticized the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for their failure to comply with the 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules.
The Court directed the MCD to engage with residents’ welfare associations, market associations, and institutional representatives to develop solutions for the waste crisis.
If no real-time solution is presented, the Court warned it may consider halting certain construction activities in the region.
The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on March 21.
