Supreme Court ban on sale of large diesel vehicles in NCR fuelling PILs in other states

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court-ordered temporary ban on the sale of large diesel-powered cars and SUVs in the National Capital Region is fuelling calls for similar action elsewhere.

Social workers and environmental activists have filed public interest litigations before the high courts of Mumbai, Gujarat and Karnataka, seeking curbs on the use of the fuel blamed to be a major contributor to air pollution.

The increasing clamour against diesel has puzzled automakers who invested hundreds of crores in developing diesel vehicles suited to Indian requirements when customer preference was shifting towards diesel with government subsidy making it significantly cheaper than petrol.

With some states too now considering restrictions on diesel vehicles, the companies say they want the government to come up with clear-cut polices on the fuel to give them visibility of the future.


A PIL has been filed before the High Court of Karnataka, seeking a ban on the registration of all non-transport diesel vehicles with over 2-litre engines in Bengaluru and restriction of heavy commercial vehicles in the city limits.

The petitioner, social activist V Shashidhar, cited studies showing a 57% increase in pollutant PM10, which is considered a major health hazard, in the city’s air between 2010 and 2014 for raising the demand. The court asked him to suggest practical ways to minimise pollution.

The Bombay High Court is scheduled to hear on April 27 a petition filed by one Shadaab Patel, who urged that rules be framed for the sale, use and registration of diesel vehicles in Mumbai. Patel also wants the odd-even rule to be implemented in the city.

In Gujarat, NGO Jogad Eco Foundation has sought that all commercial vehicles including public transport vehicles be inspected and stricter pollution control rules enforced. The vehicles that are noncompliant should be seized and banned, its petition has demanded, while also seeking a phase-out policy for old diesel-run commercial vehicles.

“Currently, we are focusing on diesel commercial vehicles, every one of which pollutes as much as three diesel cars,” the foundation’s president, Devjibhai Dhamecha, said. “At a later stage, we would also want some framework which would encourage usage of more and more CNG-driven passenger vehicles. At present, this is difficult to implement because availability of CNG is limited.”

In Pune, industry sources said, a petition has been filed before a bench of the National Green Tribunal to advance the implementation of BSVI emission rules by two years to April 2018. Automakers aren’t amused by the vilification of diesel. They say the technology available today makes diesel less polluting and more efficient than other motor fuels.

They are also concerned about steps that states like Bihar are considering to curb the use of diesel. “In Bihar, the government is considering unilateral action.

PILs have been filed in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka seeking restrictions on registration and use of diesel vehicles. The government should come out with an incentive scheme if they want to phase out diesel vehicles,” said Vishnu Mathur, director-general of industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

“As far as the ban on new vehicles is concerned, it is irrational given that diesel offers 20-25% more fuel efficiency and emits lower greenhouse gases. Given the international commitments made in Paris (climate summit), diesel should be strategised not demonised.”