Summary:

• The Delhi Transport Department has seized 121 vehicles that have completed their life, despite the Transport Minister’s refusal.
• The vehicles were found parked or running on the roads in different areas of Delhi.
• Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot had instructed not to seize parked vehicles, but the department continued the campaign citing the order of the CAQM.
• The Transport Department has been taking action against vehicles older than 10 years (diesel) and 15 years (petrol) since March 29.
• More than 14,000 such vehicles have been seized so far.
• Some vehicles that had applied for NOC to take them to another state were also seized.
• People have been filing petitions in court regarding the seizure of their vehicles.
• The Transport Minister had instructed not to seize parked vehicles on May 21, 2023.
• The Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) has directed strict action against old and polluting vehicles in Delhi.

New Delhi: Despite the refusal of Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot, the Delhi Transport Department has seized 121 vehicles that have completed their life. These vehicles were found parked or running on the roads in different areas of Delhi. On Monday, the Transport Minister had instructed the Transport Commissioner not to seize parked vehicles that have completed their age and should be sent for scrapping. However, the Transport Department continued the campaign citing the order of the CAQM.

There is a ban on driving 10 years old diesel vehicles and 15 years old petrol vehicles in Delhi. The Transport Department has been taking action against such vehicles since March 29. So far, more than 14,000 vehicles have been seized. Among these, there were also vehicles that had applied for NOC to take them to another state. Some vehicle owners have filed petitions in court regarding the seizure of their vehicles.

In view of the increasing number of vehicles being seized and the rising cases in court, the Transport Minister had instructed on May 21, 2023, not to seize vehicles parked on the roads that have completed their age. However, despite this instruction, the Transport Department has continued the crackdown.

Action being taken on the instructions of CAQM

A senior official of the Transport Department stated that vehicles contribute the most to pollution in Delhi. The Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) has directed strict action against old vehicles and polluting vehicles in Delhi. The seizure of such vehicles is part of the department’s efforts to improve air quality and reduce pollution levels in the city.