The Supreme Court is pushing for mandatory hologram-based color-coded stickers on vehicles nationwide to combat air pollution, initially approved in 2018 for the NCR. These stickers, differentiating vehicles by fuel type (blue for petrol/CNG, orange for diesel), help enforce pollution control measures like GRAP. Despite directives, compliance remains low, with over 50% of vehicles in Delhi-NCR still lacking stickers. The Court may extend the mandate to all states using its powers under Article 142, emphasizing stricter implementation to curb pollution. The matter will be reviewed further on January 15.
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The Supreme Court has highlighted the need for hologram-based color-coded stickers on vehicles to combat air pollution and is considering making these mandatory across states and Union Territories beyond the National Capital Region (NCR).
In 2018, the Court approved a proposal from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) that suggested using light blue hologram stickers for petrol and CNG vehicles and orange stickers for diesel vehicles in the NCR. These stickers were also intended to include the vehicle’s registration date, helping to identify vehicles based on their fuel type.
Following this decision, the government amended Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and updated the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) order of 2001 to legally enforce this system of hologram-based stickers.
Recently, the issue was reviewed by a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices AS Oka and AG Masih. The bench stressed the importance of enforcing these stickers to tackle vehicular pollution. They stated that identifying diesel vehicles becomes particularly relevant during the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which aims to control air pollution during critical periods.
The bench further hinted at possibly extending the directive for hologram-based stickers to areas beyond the NCR, leveraging its plenary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution. The Court has requested arguments from relevant parties, including the Centre, and scheduled the next hearing for January 15.
In November 2023, the Supreme Court noted that its earlier December 13, 2023, directive to strictly implement the sticker scheme had not been fully complied with by Delhi and other NCR states. It observed that this issue arose while addressing broader concerns over Delhi-NCR air pollution. The NCR includes regions like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, serving as amicus curiae in the case, pointed out that over 50% of vehicles on Delhi-NCR roads were still without the color-coded stickers. She noted that this scheme was initially suggested to help identify vehicles using poor-quality fuel during days of “poor” air quality.
The government’s counsel mentioned that MoRTH had written to all states to comply with the December 13, 2023, order. The Court also directed all states to report on their progress. On December 13, 2023, the Court noted that 17-18 lakh vehicles out of approximately 27 lakh in Delhi had implemented the stickers. It further instructed the Delhi government to ensure all vehicles complied with the directive to help curb air pollution.
The Supreme Court had earlier, on August 13, 2018, given its initial approval to MoRTH’s hologram-based sticker proposal. It also suggested introducing green stickers or green number plates for electric and hybrid vehicles to promote cleaner fuel options.
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