Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Vardhaman Kaushik Vs Union of India & Others dated 22/03/2024.

The Special Protection Group (SPG) filed the application to direct the Transport Department, NCT of Delhi to allow extension of registration period of specialized armoured vehicles - 3 in number by five years till December 23, 2029.

Plea of the applicant is that these vehicles are essential and integral part of Special Protection Group technical logistics. The applicant said that the specialized armoured vehicles are not easily available in the market and they are special purpose vehicles used for specific protection purpose, therefore, the Transport Department of NCT should be directed to extend the registration of the vehicles for further five years beyond the period of 10 years.

The Transport Department of NCT of Delhi has opposed the application by submitting that the issue has already been settled by NGT by order dated April 7, 2015 and Supreme Court by order dated October 29, 2018. The SC had restricted the use of diesel vehicles only upto 10 years, permission cannot be granted to the applicant for extension of registration of the vehicles which are BS-III vehicles.

The three SPVs will be completing the period of 10 years from the date of registration in December, 2024 and they are the Diesel Vehicles, therefore, in terms of the direction of Supreme Court, October 29, 2018, such vehicles being diesel vehicles cannot be permitted to ply in NCR on completion of 10 years.

We are conscious of the fact that these three vehicles are special purpose vehicles which are not normally available and these vehicles have run very less in the last ten years and are needed for the specific purpose of security of the Prime Minister but in view of the order of the Supreme Court (October 29, 2018), the prayer made in the application cannot be granted, the NGT said.