Delhi government may give NOCs to 10-15-year old vehicles

A day after the National Green Tribunal ordered de-registration of 10-15-year-old diesel vehicles in a phased manner, the Delhi government hinted on Thursday that it might take a decision on issuing fitness certificates to such vehicles. The city transport department is also contemplating introducing a policy to de-register diesel vehicles, which are over 10 years old, in a phased manner.

The Delhi government said a final decision on both the issues will be taken only after studying the green panel’s order and then taking legal opinion. Representatives of some 30 transporters’ associations on Thursday met chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and transport minister Satyendar Jain at the Delhi Secretariat.

The transporters demanded that a decision be taken to issue fitness certificates to vehicles, including trucks, which are between 10 and 15 years old. “The government will study the NGT order first and then seek legal opinion on the demands of the transporters. Thereafter, we will be able to take the decision to issue fitness certificates to diesel vehicles which are more than 10 years old,” Mr Jain said. Official sources said the Delhi government presented a plan of de-registering diesel vehicles more than 15 years old in a phased manner. In the first phase, the government may take 4-5 months to phase out diesel vehicles between 10 years and 15 years old.

Delhi Goods Transport Association president T.S.Dhillon said about 2.5 lakh trucks, which are more than 10 years old, ply in Delhi-NCR.