COMMENTARY
INTERVIEWS
SPECIALS
CHAT
ARCHIVES

Supreme Court denies breathing time to cars that suffocate

Veeresh Malik in New Delhi

The Supreme Court today refused to extend the time limits fixed by it earlier for the introduction of Euro I and Euro II emission norms for the registration of private non commercial vehicles in the National Capital Region.

A division bench of the Supreme Court, presided over by the Chief Justice of India, held back issuing of directives while they further discussed the matter amongst themselves.

This was in response to a series of interim applications by various segments of affected parties, including the government of India, automobile manufacturers, dealers associations and environmentalists.

The mood at the Court number 1-A was anything but jubilant. The judges came down heavily on the government and the automobile manufacturers, who asked for "breathing space and time".

"Shall we give you breathing space to comply with regulations, or shall we worry about those who have to breathe with the help of cortizone?" the learned bench asked.

The Supreme Court also observed that automobile manufacturers in India supply European customers with cars compliant with Euro-II norms but the same were not introduced in the Indian market.

Reference was also made to easing of restrictions for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas or CNG and the possible inclusion of two-wheelers into the net.

It is expected that the new directives may make matters tougher for manufacturers of motor vehicles. The process of evolving precise guidelines on how to implement the court directives has also acquired significance.

So, while the Association of Indian Automobile Manufacturers goes about installing its new president in Pune, arguments break out among various lobbies (diesel versus petrol, 2-stroke versus 4-stroke, Indian liquid fuel versus foreign fuel…) over the expected directives of the Supreme Court. The apex court is likely to announce them at about 1030 on May 14.

Meanwhile, the only things not moving in new car showrooms are new cars.

Meanwhile, the controversy over self-certification of Euro-II norms by manufacturers took another turn with the Transport Department of Delhi first permitting registration and then suspending it thereafter.

Daewoo Motors India Limited had been claiming that all its models now on sale in India are Euro-II compliant.

As of now, therefore, no new private cars can be registered in Delhi.

This has resulted in an explosive increase in the prices of second-hand cars. For instance, a 1996 Maruti Zen, which was fetching about Rs 185,000 a few weeks ago, now returns a healthy 300,000!

EARLIER FEATURE:
The Supreme Court order on auto emissions and its impact on industry

Business News