Today, On 16th December, The Supreme Court approved a five-year extension for the registration of three specialized armored diesel vehicles used by the Special Protection Group (SPG) for the Prime Minister’s security. This decision set aside a prior National Green Tribunal (NGT) order, which denied the extension on the grounds that the vehicles exceeded the ten-year age limit for diesel vehicles in Delhi-NCR. The court acknowledged the critical role of these vehicles in ensuring the Prime Minister’s safety. This ruling provides a significant exemption to the diesel vehicle ban in the region.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court extended the registration period of three specialized armoured diesel vehicles belonging to the Special Protection Group (SPG) by five years.
A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Manmohan addressing a plea from the SPG, which challenged a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that denied the extension for its vehicles, all of which are over a decade old.
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The court granted the extension after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted the importance of these vehicles, stating “they are essential and integral to SPG’s technical logistics.”
The NGT previously ruled on March 22 that such diesel vehicles could not operate in the NCR after ten years.
It acknowledged the unique nature of the vehicles, noting,
“We are conscious of the fact that these three vehicles are special purpose vehicles which are not normally available and have run very little in the last 10 years. They are needed for the specific purpose of security of the prime minister, but in view of the Supreme Court’s order dated October 29, 2018, the prayer made in the MA (miscellaneous application) cannot be granted.”
The Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling prohibited diesel vehicles older than ten years from operating on Delhi-NCR roads, following a 2015 NGT order that banned diesel vehicles over a decade old and petrol vehicles exceeding fifteen years in the NCR. The SPG established in 1985 to provide close protection for the prime minister, former prime ministers, and their immediate families.
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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a dedicated judicial authority formed in India under the National Green Tribunal Act of 2010. Its primary purpose is to address issues concerning environmental protection, as well as the conservation of forests and natural resources. The NGT seeks to facilitate prompt and effective resolution of environmental disputes while ensuring rigorous enforcement of environmental legislation.
The Special Protection Group (SPG) is an elite security force in India established under the SPG Act, 1988, to provide comprehensive security to the Prime Minister of India, former Prime Ministers, and their immediate families. The SPG ensures close protection in all environments, including residences, workplaces, and during travel.
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