The Delhi government has reported to the Supreme Court that over 1.2 million vehicles in the national capital, which is about half of the eligible vehicles, have affixed colour-coded stickers to indicate their fuel type. This initiative is part of a broader effort to manage vehicular pollution in the region.
The affidavit submitted earlier this week comes in response to the Supreme Court’s order from January 27, which called for the implementation of colour-coded stickers (CCS) across the National Capital Region (NCR), including for vehicles registered before the mandate in April 2019. According to the Delhi government, the implementation of CCS is an ongoing process, and the aim is to cover all vehicles “at the earliest.”
During the hearing on Friday, a bench headed by Justice Abhay S Oka reviewed the implementation status not only in Delhi but across the NCR. The court has adjourned the matter to next week for further deliberation.
Under the current regulations, petrol and CNG vehicles sport blue hologram stickers, diesel vehicles use orange, and other vehicles are marked with grey. These stickers serve as a third registration plate and are provided by car dealers along with high-security registration plates (HSRP).
The implementation of these measures is part of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap), a strategy to combat air pollution, which has been a long-standing issue in the region. Vehicular emissions are a significant source of air pollutants, contributing to increased levels of harmful gases and particulate matter in the atmosphere.
The court’s involvement in this matter dates back to 1985, stemming from a petition by environmental lawyer and activist MC Mehta. Over the years, various directives have been issued to mitigate the environmental impact of urban transportation.
The Delhi government also highlighted the enforcement measures in place for non-compliance. Violators of the CCS rule face fines ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 for a first offence, and more severe penalties, including possible imprisonment, for subsequent offences.
Additionally, since the BJP government assumed office in February, stricter controls have been enforced, including suspending various vehicle transactions for non-compliance with HSRP and CCS requirements. As of February 27, having both HSRP and CCS is mandatory for obtaining a pollution-under-control (PUC) certificate.
