Delhi rising air pollution: Breather for BS-4 vehicle owners after SC modifies earlier order, says ‘Only BS-4 and…’

Modifying its earlier order, the SC has said that only BS-4 and above vehicles will be exempt.

Delhi rising air pollution: In a matter of good news for vehicle owners in Delhi NCR, the Supreme Court has modified its earlier order saying that “Only BS-4 and above vehicles will be exempt”: In its recent decision, Supreme Court has modified its earlier order on old diesel, petrol vehicles in Delhi. Describing the rising pollution crisis in the city as an “annual feature” and called for pragmatic and practical solutions to tackle the menace. Here are all the details you need to know about what the Supreme Court has said on the rising air pollution crisis in the Delhi-NCR.

What did Supreme Court say on Delhi government’s decision to close schools

It, however, refused to interfere with the Delhi government’s decision to close schools for students from nursery to Class 5, holding that no further tinkering was required as the winter break was already approaching, an NDTV report said.

“Para 2 of August 12, 2025 order is modified to the extent that no coercive steps shall be taken for BS-4 vehicles and above,” Chief Justice Justice Surya Kant said while affirming the modification of the court order, according to Bar and Bench.

Read more: Delhi govt mandates 50% work from home for govt and private offices as toxic air chokes city, fines for violators

Vehicular congestion at Delhi’s borders

In an effort to ease vehicular congestion at Delhi’s borders, a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to consider shifting or temporarily closing nine toll plazas located at entry points to the capital.

The MCD was specifically directed to take a decision within one week on whether these toll plazas could be shut temporarily to facilitate smoother traffic flow and reduce vehicular emissions.

“Let us think of pragmatic and practical solutions of the menace,” the Chief Justice remarked, noting that while preventive mechanisms exist, their enforcement has been consistently weak.