Vintage Cars May Not Be Allowed to Ply on Delhi Roads

Remember the ruckus around the ban of vehicles older than 15 years from the capital's roads? In November, 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) first issued the order to ban petrol and diesel vehicles older than 15 years. Almost two months later, the ministry of road transport and highways deemed the idea of mandating age limit of private vehicles as a 'short-cut approach', and shifted its focus on enforcing the plan for commercial and transport vehicles instead.

While there is still no definite word about the future of that directive, an NGT bench alluded to its earlier order and clarified that vintage cars will also not be allowed to ply on the capital's roads. Justice Swatanter Kumar, chairperson, NGT, explained that vintage cars will not be issued fitness certificates without the tribunal's specific orders.

This clarification came about as a result of a plea filed by Madan Mohan, director of 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally, who seeked the tribunal's permission for vintage cars to partake in the 5th edition of the rally. Though Mr Mohan was issued a one-time exception for the rally, the tribunal will hold a hearing on February 25.

Well, if the tribunal does decide to stand its ground about this directive, I suppose many collectors will be left heart-broken.