The Supreme Court cancelled 2006 orders banning truck entry in Delhi’s wholesale markets. This brings huge relief to transporters and revives trading operations in the city.
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NEW DELHI: In a major relief to the transporters and traders of Delhi, the Supreme Court of India has officially cancelled two old orders from 2006 which had stopped trucks from entering several key wholesale markets in Delhi like Sadar Bazar and Qutub Road.
This decision brings closure to a long legal battle that lasted nearly two decades and had deeply affected trading activity in the capital city.
The case was filed by The Delhi Goods Transporters Association (Regd.), which represents 318 transporters in Delhi. They had challenged the two interim orders passed by the Delhi High Court on 31 March 2006 and 28 April 2006 that restricted the entry of heavy trucks in central wholesale markets.
The transporters argued that this ban had caused serious disruption in trade and goods movement.
The Supreme Court bench, consisting of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, heard the matter on 25 March 2025.
The court observed:
“The instant special leave petition is directed against the interim orders dated 31.03.2006 and 28.04.2006 passed by a Division Bench of the High Court of Delhi in a pending writ petition.”
These orders had restricted truck entry into busy markets like Sadar Bazar and Qutub Road, which led the transporters’ association to appeal to the Supreme Court.
They told the court:
“The impugned orders have brought the entire trading activity in Delhi to a standstill.”
They also clarified:
“The trucks are allowed to enter the city in the night, and the loading/unloading of material also happens during the night only.”
Due to the seriousness of the issue, the Supreme Court had earlier stayed the High Court orders on 5 May 2006, and that stay has continued ever since. During the recent hearing, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi informed the court that the original writ petition in the High Court has already been resolved.
Taking this into account, the top court ruled:
“That being so, the impugned interim orders dated 31.03.2006 and 28.04.2006 have lost their effectivity and are consequently, set aside.”
However, the Supreme Court also made it clear that public interest and city traffic must still be managed properly. It emphasized that the Delhi government and the municipal body must take responsibility:
“It does not mean that the NCT of Delhi will not take necessary measures to ensure the regulated activities of the heavy vehicles entering the city. In this regard, if no regulatory measures have been taken so far, the State Government and the Municipal Corporation shall be obligated to take appropriate decisions.”
Finally, the Court concluded the matter by saying:
“With these directions, the special leave petition is disposed of.”
“All pending applications, if any, also stand disposed of.”
This landmark decision is likely to bring major relief for transporters and businesses operating in Delhi’s wholesale markets, as the earlier restrictions had made nighttime operations difficult and impacted logistics.
Legal experts say this judgment will also remind authorities that while regulating traffic and pollution is important, it must be balanced with business and livelihood concerns.
The ball is now in the court of the Delhi government and MCD to come up with modern, fair, and efficient ways to manage goods transport without disrupting trade.
Case Title:
The Delhi Goods Transporters Association (Regd.) vs. Municipal Corporation of Delhi & Anr.
(Special Leave to Appeal (C) No. 8477/2006)
Appearances:
For the Petitioner(s):
- Mr. Sanjay Kapur, Advocate-on-Record
- Mr. Divesh Dubey, Advocate
- Ms. Divya Singh Pundir, Advocate
For the Respondent(s):
- Mr. Praveen Swarup, Advocate-on-Record
- Mr. Ajay Bansal, Advocate
- Mr. Ravisharma, Advocate
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