The latest order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banning 15-year-old diesel vehicles from Delhi’s roads, or not allowing them to enter the city, would dissuade people from buying diesel cars, thus impacting their sales, said RC Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki India.

In a telephonic conversation with BusinessLine , he said: “Sales of diesel second-hand cars will be also aggressively impacted.”

He questioned the NGT’s decision, asking how it would benefit citizens. Studies have concluded that vehicle pollution is less to blame for poor air quality than certain other pollutants, Bhargava pointed out.

“Such sudden decisions without looking at consequences/benefits are not at all going to help. IIT-Kanpur, in its study, had also showed that only PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) pollutants are affecting the environment. Of that, diesel engines account for just 2 per cent,” Bhargava said.

Change focus He further said the NGT should focus on total air quality, instead of only looking at vehicular pollution, which, according to the IIT-Kanpur study, has minimal impact on air quality.

“The main question right now is — what happens to the cars/vehicles that are 15 years old?” he asked. They can’t be sold outside Delhi since no objection certificates (NOC) will not be issued, he pointed out.

“Where would these people leave their vehicles?”

Meanwhile, the NGT has ordered the Delhi Development Authority to provide space to Delhi Transport Corporation and Delhi Traffic Police for parking de-registered diesel vehicles including the impounded ones.

It has also asked the Delhi government to respond on the issue of capping of vehicles and submit its views on limiting private cars in the city.

The Tribunal has also asked the Ministry of Heavy Industries to take a view with regard to scrapping of vehicles and publicise the benefits for those who opt for it.

Scrappage policy But, the Centre is still in the process of formulating a scrappage policy, which requires time. According to analysts, there are many unanswered questions and the ruling may be challenged legally.

“The best scenario would be for the stakeholders to have time to plan a response to a new legislation. This applies to both manufacturers and users. The fact that the ban on new registrations was later changed would suggest this order may also be challenged,” said Kumar Kandaswami, Senior Director, Deloitte in India.

According to Pawan Goenka, Executive Director, Mahindra & Mahindra, the whole debate on emission by vehicles will be over once the BS-VI norms come into effect, in 2020.

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