The Supreme Court is deliberating on mandating colour-coded stickers for vehicles to improve air quality monitoring and compliance. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan questioned the implementation of stringent GRAP-4 (Graded Response Action Plan) measures amid worsening AQI levels in Delhi. The court is examining how such measures can curb pollution effectively. Rising air pollution remains a critical concern for the capital city.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court discussed the potential requirement for hologram-based, color-coded stickers for vehicles nationwide, emphasizing the need for effective enforcement of pollution under control (PUC) certificate regulations.
A panel consisting of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan inquired about the implementation of the stringent GRAP-4 measures in light of the increasing Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in Delhi.
Read Also: “Parents Can be Prosecuted for Minor Driving Vehicle Without Licence”: HC
The bench instructed senior advocate Aparajita Singh, who is serving as an amicus curiae, to prepare a note on the matter. They indicated their intention to direct the Centre to revise the Motor Vehicles (High Security Registration Plates) Order of 2018.
The bench remarked,
“Prepare a note and in terms of that, we will issue directions to the Government of India to amend that order of 2018.”
Additionally, the bench questioned Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, about the status of GRAP-4, noting that the AQI was nearing 480.
The bench noted that older vehicles have yet to receive the third registration mark, highlighting slow progress in this area.
The bench inquired,
“These rules are applicable from April 1, 2019. What happens to the earlier period?”
One lawyer clarified that even vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, must have the third registration mark affixed.
The bench responded,
“Let us be very clear. This requirement comes for the first time on April 1, 2019… How do we direct that owners of vehicles registered prior to April 1, 2019, should get this hologram affixed?”
The amicus curiae brought attention to the issue of non-compliance with PUC certificate regulations. The bench requested the amicus to address the PUC aspect in her note, emphasizing its importance,
“This also is very crucial. If that rule is not complied with, then there are so many polluting vehicles on the roads.”
The court suggested that public sector undertakings and government agencies should purchase electric vehicles whenever possible. The bench also discussed scheduling hearings on various pollution-related issues, including stubble burning, stating that the matter of hologram-based color-coded stickers would be revisited on January 27.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court highlighted the necessity of hologram-based color-coded stickers to combat air pollution, contemplating making them mandatory in states and Union territories beyond the NCR. In 2018, the court approved a proposal from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to implement light blue stickers for petrol and CNG vehicles in the NCR, while diesel vehicles were to receive orange stickers. These stickers would help identify vehicles based on their fuel type and include their registration dates.
Following the court’s directive, the Centre amended Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) order of 2001 to provide legal standing to the hologram-based sticker scheme.
Read Also: Plea in SC Against Delhi Policy Mandating to Scrap Old Vehicles Despite Roadworthiness
The bench indicated that it might extend the 2018 directive to other states and Union territories using its plenary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court previously noted that its December 13, 2023, directive to enforce the scheme strictly had not been followed. The discussion surrounding color-coded stickers arose during hearings related to air pollution in Delhi-NCR, which includes states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. The color-coded sticker scheme was initially proposed by the amicus curiae to facilitate vehicle identification and restrict the use of low-quality fuel during “poor category” pollution days.
On August 13, 2018, the court became the first to approve the Centre’s proposal for hologram-based color-coded stickers, indicating the fuel type used by vehicles. The court also suggested that the MoRTH consider green-colored number plates or stickers for electric and hybrid vehicles.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
