Madan B. Lokur, J. - (1.) We had heard I.A. No. 494 of 2017 along with other I.As and had passed an order on 29th March, 2017. The operative portion of the order is as follows: "Accordingly, for detailed reasons that will follow, we direct that: (a) On and from 1st April, 2017 such vehicles that are not BS-IV compliant shall not be sold in India by any manufacturer or dealer, that is to say that such vehicles whether two wheeler, three wheeler, four wheeler or commercial vehicles will not be sold in India by any manufacturer or dealer on and from 1st April, 2017. (b) All the vehicle registering authorities under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 are prohibited for registering such vehicles on and from 1st April, 2017 that do not meet BS-IV emission standards, except on proof that such a vehicle has already been sold on or before 31st March, 2017."
(2.) We now give our reasons for the above order. Recent history
(3.) Sometime in 2003 the National Auto Fuel Policy was announced by the Government of India for the implementation of Bharat Stage norms for vehicular emissions. This Policy was based on the recommendations of the Mashelkar Committee constituted in 2001. It is not necessary to detail the Policy except to say that it provides a road map for achieving vehicular emission norms over a period of time and the corresponding fuel quality upgradation requirements. A road map for vehicular emission norms for new vehicles was drawn up and those cities facing serious pollution levels were brought under a separate road map for quicker adoption of emission norms.;