Delhi LG Saxena Slams End Of Life Vehicle Scrappage As ‘Irrational, Unfair’; Seeks Supreme Court Review
Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Saxena opposes the immediate enforcement of CAQM's order to scrap older vehicles, citing legal, practical, and socio-economic concerns. He argues it unfairly targets Delhi residents.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has written a detailed letter to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, raising strong objections to the immediate enforcement of the Commission for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) directive mandating the denial of fuel and compulsory scrapping of 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in the national capital.
In the five-page letter, LG Saxena criticised the practicality, legal standing, and socio-economic implications of the CAQM order. He called on the Delhi government to approach the Supreme Court for a review and asked for the scrappage directions to be suspended until the entire National Capital Region (NCR) is equally prepared. The LG also suggested holding discussions with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to review the existing scrappage policy.
Delhi LG Slams EOL Vehicle Ban as ‘Irrational, Unfair’
LG Saxena wrote, “It is irrational to imagine that a 10-year-old diesel vehicle has reached its end of life in Delhi while remaining roadworthy and lawful in any other city (e.g., Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad etc.) under the same law.”
He emphasised that applying the End-of-Life (EOL) definition based solely on age, without considering mechanical condition, emission performance, or mileage, disproportionately affects the middle class. The LG underlined that even Bharat Stage VI compliant vehicles with low usage are being forced into scrappage, calling this approach unjust.
Highlighting the potential violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, LG Saxena pointed out that Section 59 of the Act grants the Centre exclusive authority to set vehicle lifespans uniformly across India, making a city-specific age limit legally questionable.
Referring to recent infrastructural improvements in Delhi, the LG recommended that the Delhi government petition the Supreme Court for a review of its earlier orders on older vehicles. He said the petition should highlight “the construction of Urban Extension Road, expansion of metro network, development of RRTS corridor” as evidence of changed circumstances since the last judicial directives.
He further cited ongoing efforts to reduce pollution, including greening initiatives, installation of anti-smog guns, and enhanced road maintenance by municipal agencies.
LG VK Saxena Proposes Five-Point Action Plan
LG Saxena outlined five specific recommendations to CM Rekha Gupta in his letter. He urged the Delhi government to:
• Request CAQM to defer its EOL vehicle directions until the NCR is uniformly prepared;
• Engage MoRTH to address legal inconsistencies in the Vehicle Scrapping Facility Rules, 2021;
• File a review petition with the Supreme Court;
• Draft a comprehensive three-month Air Pollution Mitigation Plan;
• Launch a public awareness campaign encouraging retrofitting old vehicles to cleaner alternatives.
LG Saxena wrote, “I acknowledge that the Air pollution is a shared responsibility and must be addressed with urgency and foresight, however, the policy execution must also reflect principles of legality, fairness, and socioeconomic sensitivity.”
He advised preparing a detailed pollution mitigation strategy, incorporating measures across sectors like transport, construction, and greening, supported by wide consultations with experts and stakeholders.
While acknowledging the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) concerns about Delhi’s air quality, LG Saxena noted that vehicular emissions are just one of many contributors. He stressed that policy measures should not be “rigid age-based classifications” but instead adopt a more balanced, objective, and technologically updated framework that includes emission testing, retrofitting, and clear regulatory standards.
Top Headlines
