New Delhi: The Supreme Court Wednesday dismissed a plea by Bajaj Auto against AAP government’s decision to issue 4,261 new permits only to e-autos, saying Delhi residents are badly affected by air pollution, a part of which is contributed by vehicles.
The top court said even though CNG auto rickshaws are BS-VI compliant, there is still some carbon emission.
A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao said the advertisement issued by the Delhi government inviting applications for e-autorickshaws cannot be said to be arbitrary as it is in conformity with FAME-II scheme and the Electric Vehicle policy 2020.
“Residents of Delhi are badly affected by the air pollution, undoubtedly a part of which is contributed by vehicles. Even though CNG autos are BS-VI compliant, there is still some carbon emission.
“We also do not agree that the fundamental right of the applicant (Bajaj Auto) is violated. Amendment to Motor Vehicles Act cannot be read to mean that addition of e-autos on the road can be done over and above one lakh autos,” the bench also comprising Justices B R Gavai and B V Nagarathna said.
The Delhi government opposed the plea filed by Bajaj Auto on the ground that CNG auto rickshaws cannot be compared to e-autos.
It said there is a proposal to switch to electric vehicles with a view to decarbonise the transport sector. The AAP government also referred to the FAME-II scheme of the Centre and electric vehicle policy 2020.
92,000 CNG auto rickshaws have already been registered in Delhi and there is a continuous process of replacement of old CNG auto rickshaws, Delhi government said.
