SC Changes Pollution Rule: Vehicle Age Out, BS-IV Standard In for Delhi-NCR

• Supreme Court modifies old order on Delhi-NCR air pollution, shifting focus from vehicle age to pollution standard.
• Action will now target vehicles with emission standards below BS-IV, not just 10-year-old diesel or 15-year-old petrol vehicles.
• Bench comprising Chief Justice Suryakant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul Pancholi made the ruling.
• MCD directed to consider temporarily closing nine toll plazas due to traffic jams contributing to pollution.
• Transport is the biggest source of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, accounting for 41% as per CAQM data.

Why It Matters: SC mandates pollution standard (BS-IV) over age for vehicle action in Delhi-NCR, addressing multiple sources.