Supreme Court to levy pollution tax on small diesel cars

The Supreme Court has ordered a ban on the registration of private diesel cars with engines larger than 2,000cc till March 31, 2016 in Delhi and cities falling within NCR. The court is not letting buyers of smaller diesel cars get away lightly either. It has decided to impose a one-time pollution tax on such vehicles in the coming year.

The court has fixed a hearing on January 5, 2016 to decide the amount of tax to be levied on diesel vehicles having engines smaller than 2,000cc. This tax will definitely make diesel cars more expensive. Additionally, the gap between the prices of petrol and diesel has been coming down steadily. This is likely to make buying diesel car even more unfeasible. 

The court has also directed cab operators such as Ola and Uber to have their vehicles converted to CNG by March 1, 2016. Additionally, it has banned the entry of all trucks over 10 years of age from entering the city.

Trucks under 10 years of age, using Delhi as a transit point will not be allowed to enter the city either unless they are they are carrying essential commodities or food article. For entering the city, LCVs have to pay Rs. 1,400, while MCVs and HCVs will have to pay Rs. 2,600 as environmental compensation cess.

Source: Times of India