Supreme Court Seeks Detailed Plans to Curb Car Emissions in Delhi Region

New Delhi (November 10) — The Supreme Court has formally ordered the Delhi government, MCD, Delhi Police and the administrations of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan to submit comprehensive answers on steps being taken to tackle the surge in vehicle‑related air pollution across Delhi and the National Capital Region.

The apex court highlighted that older vehicles, which have crossed their statutory lifespan and do not meet prescribed emission norms, are a major contributor to deteriorating air quality. It demanded clarification on the regulatory instruments that restrict entry and movement of both private and commercial automobiles, especially those arriving from other states, and on the procedures used to verify authentic Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates.

Authorities were asked to provide data on the number of vehicles inspected to date, the quantity of fines imposed, and how many vehicles have been prevented from entering Delhi. The order also examined the level of cooperation among the four jurisdictions, requesting details of joint mechanisms designed to monitor cross‑border traffic and enforce pollution standards.

In addition, the Court required a forward‑looking strategy outlining upcoming measures, any proposed tightening of existing rules, and the timeline for implementation. All responses must be filed within a week, and the matter will be revisited on 23 November.

This directive follows a recent report submitted to the Court, which cited the Air Quality Management Commission’s finding that vehicle exhaust accounts for roughly 23 % of Delhi‑NCR’s winter pollution and 19 % during the summer months.

The full written order has been uploaded to the Supreme Court’s website for public scrutiny.