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Synopsis

While modifying its order dated 13th August 2018, the Supreme Court of India, on Monday said that colour-coded stickers denoting fuel type will now be affixed to vehicles purchased before 1st April 2019 and registered in the NCR states.

According to the 2018 order, all vehicles in the NCR were required to display a colour-coded sticker to indicate their fuel type. Petrol and CNG vehicles were to have light blue stickers, while diesel vehicles were to display orange stickers. The deadline for compliance with this order was set for 2nd October 2018.

A bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, said,“...As we have modified the order dated August 13, 2018, by directing that in respect of all vehicles registered within NCR states, the requirement of said order will be complied with. We direct the NCR state governments concerned to ensure that even in respect of vehicles registered within NCR states prior to April 1, 2019 provisions of the order are implemented.” 

While the court asked the authorities to ensure that vehicles registered in NCR states before or after April 1, 2019, complied with the said orders, it also directed the NCR states not to permit activities such as the transfer of ownership, addition or continuation of hypothecation, change of address, issuance of a duplicate registration certificate, cancellation of hypothecation, or any fitness-related activities unless the vehicle complies with the said order.

The court also emphasised that no pollution certificate will be issued to vehicles that fail to comply with the order of the court, which mandates the display of a colour-coded sticker for identification of fuel type." ...that the NCR States shall issue a direction that no PUC certificate shall be issued unless compliance is made with the said order...,” it added.

Furthermore, the court directed the NCR states to file an affidavit within one month, listing the steps they will take to ensure that every vehicle sold before April 1, 2019, complies with the provisions of the said order. 

It also urged the Centre to seek reports from all states and Union Territories regarding compliance with the orders relating to colour-coded stickers, adding that the reports should be compiled and submitted on or before March 17.

Earlier Hearing

On January 15, the Supreme Court had expressed its intention to colour-coded stickers for vehicles mandatory across all states in an attempt to curb air pollution.

The court had asked senior advocate Aparajita Singh, appointed as amicus curiae in the present case, to prepare a note pertaining to the matter. In light of this, the court had said that it would issue directions to the Centre to amend the Motor Vehicles (High-Security Registration Plates) Order, 2018.

Case Title: MC Mehta vs. Union of India (Pollution case)