Decision to phase out old diesel cars after scientific study: Minister of State Mansukh Lal Mandaviya

NEW DELHI: Government will make any decision on phasing out older diesel cars only after conducting a scientific study on emission levels of such vehicles, which is underway, Parliament was informed today.

"Department of Heavy Industries has instituted a study on the emission levels by various diesel vehicles as compared to the source of air pollution. Only after the scientific study, any decision to phase out older vehicles can be taken," Minister of State Mansukh Lal Mandaviya told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

In reply to a query as to what are government's plans on the use of diesel cars and SUVs which are more than 15 years old, the Minster also said, "The government has examined the order of Supreme Court and the Department of Heavy Industries has impleaded itself vide affidavit dated April 28, 2016 in the case for presenting a composite view of government."

He said the Supreme court vide order dated December 16, 2015 has directed that the registration of SUVs and private cars of the capacity of 2000 CC and above using diesel as fuel shall stand banned in the NCR up to March 31, 2016.

However, the Supreme Court in June had said it was open to lifting the ban on their registration in Delhi and NCR, subject to a levy of one-time environment compensation cess.