Delhi’s vehicle ban sparks debate: Is scrapping old cars the answer to pollution?
The Delhi-NCR’s crackdown on older vehicles to curb pollution has reignited a fierce debate among scientists, environmentalists and transport experts. While the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has barred petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel vehicles over 10 years from refuelling or plying on roads from July 1, critics argue that age alone shouldn’t dictate a vehicle’s fate. According to a TOI report, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has long opposed phasing out vehicles based solely on age. Instead, the organisation advocates stricter emission norms and better pollution checks. "In its decades-long campaign on the right to clean air, CSE has never recommended the phase-out of personal vehicles based on age," the group said in a statement. Instead, it pushes for improved fuel standards, remote emission monitoring and stronger public transport. Experts highlight that the current Pollution Under Control (PUC) certification is flawed. A Delhi Technological University (DTU) study even proposed replacing it with an Exhaust Emission Index (EEI), which would assess idle emissions more accurately. Dr Rajeev Kumar Mishra of DTU argued that maintenance records and mileage, not just age, should determine a vehicle’s roadworthiness. However, IIT-Delhi’s Deepti Jain countered that age remains a practical benchmark. "Obtaining a PUC certificate is not difficult... So how do I really discourage people from using older vehicles? I cannot do anything else but look at the age," she was quoted by TOI. Studies show transport contributes heavily to Delhi’s toxic air, up to 50%, as per a CSE analysis. Yet, activists like Bhavreen Kandhari argue that replacing old cars with new ones won’t solve the crisis. "Clean air won’t come from just newer vehicles. It will come with fewer vehicles," she reportedly said, urging policies that reduce private car dependency. As per TOI, even government vehicles haven’t been spared - three BS-III armoured cars used for the Prime Minister’s security were denied registration extensions by the NGT last year due to pollution concerns, despite low mileage.