Delhi Government Decides To Deregister Diesel Vehicles That Complete 10 Years On January 1, 2022

The Delhi Government has decided that it would be de-registering all the diesel vehicles that will complete 10 years on January 1, 2022. This decision has been taken in view of a 2016 order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Vardhaman Kaushik Vs Union of India & Ors [OA Nos. 21 of 2014 and 94 of 2014]

In this case, the Tribunal had issued certain directions relating to restrictions on registration and plying of diesel vehicles that are more than 10 years old and petrol vehicles that are more than 15 years old.

Importantly, in the order issued by the Transport Department of the Government of Delhi, it has been stated that the Transport Department has already de- registered a number of vehicles, however, in the meantime, a new set of diesel vehicles completing more than 10 years in Delhi is due for de-registration.

Accordingly, the Order of the Transport Department states that it will de-register all such diesel vehicles in Delhi on 01.01.2022 which have completed / would be completing 10 years on that date.

However, a No objection certificate (NOC) for diesel and petrol vehicles will be issued as under:

• No NOC will be issued for diesel vehicles that have completed 15 years or more on the date of applying for NOC.
• NOC for diesel vehicles upto 10 years / less than 15 years old petrol vehicles can be issued for any place in the country.
• NOC for diesel vehicles above 10 years and petrol vehicles above 15 years will be issued for other states subject to the condition that such NOC will not be issued for the places which are identified by the states as the restricted areas in terms of order of NGT, which had directed the states to identify areas where the dispersion of the air is higher and vehicular density is least.

The order by the transport department further states that the vehicle owners will have the option to convert their 10 years old diesel / 15 years old petrol vehicles to electric, in case, they wish to ply their vehicles in NCT of Delhi.

However, the retro fitment of such vehicles with impaneled electric kits shall have to be got done through agencies approved by Transport Department. The empanelment process for electric kits is under process.

In all other cases, the only recourse would be to scrap the vehicles which are more than 10 years old (diesel) and 15 years old (petrol), the order states.