New Delhi [India], July 11 : The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, has written a detailed letter to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday urging the BJP government to immediately bring legislation to protect 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles from being scrapped in the national capital.
Atishi highlighted the grave implications of the blanket ban on end-of-life (EOL) vehicles, stating that the move could adversely impact the lives of lakhs of middle-class families and senior citizens who depend on these vehicles for their daily needs.
Atishi pointed out that although the initial ban starting 1st July was rolled back due to public outrage, the government has now proposed a fresh deadline of 1st November, which continues to keep lakhs of Delhi residents on edge. The proposal, she noted, would impact at least 60 lakh vehicles, 20 lakh four-wheelers and 40 lakh two-wheelers.
In her letter, Delhi Assembly LoP Atishi wrote: "I am writing this letter to you as a voice of lakhs of residents of Delhi who are perturbed by your government's recent plan to scrap 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in the national capital. Even though this proposal that started from 1st July was rolled back immediately after public backlash, now another deadline of 1st November hangs on their heads. If this decision is implemented, it will have an impact on at least 60 lakh vehicles (20 lakh four-wheelers and 40 lakh two-wheelers) in the national capital."
Calling out the BJP's disconnect with ground realities, Atishi said that the Delhi CM may be new to governance but must understand the aspirations and financial constraints of ordinary people. "For a middle class family, purchasing a vehicle is still an important milestone in their lives. They dream, plan and save for years before they can buy a car. Many buy a second-hand car. Many senior citizens keep their cars with utmost care and use it for travelling short distances such as to the doctor, nearby markets etc. Many women use cars as a safe mode of travelling to office or dropping children to schools as streets of Delhi are unsafe. Removing 60 lakh vehicles in one go will impact all these people's daily lives adversely. Affording a new car may not be an option for most of them."
Questioning the scientific basis of the ban, she underscored that age alone cannot determine whether a vehicle is polluting. "There might be cars that are only 5 years old but have run 5,00,000 kms. There might be cars that are 15 years old but have plied only 50,000 kms. There might be cars that are just 3-4 years old but are poorly maintained and polluting, while there might be some that are 10-12 years but are very well maintained and non-polluting. Therefore, age of vehicle cannot be the sole criteria for deciding if the vehicle is polluting or non-polluting. Imposing a blanket ban on EOL vehicles is illogical and irrational."
She added that the only parties benefiting from such a move would be vehicle manufacturers, dealers, and scrappers, while ordinary citizens, especially middle-class families, women, and the elderly, would suffer greatly.
Atishi acknowledged the need to tackle pollution, but categorically stated that a blanket ban is not the solution. "While pollution must be tackled, but blanket ban is not the solution. The Delhi Government has issued a statement that you will be going to the Supreme Court. However, the court will only reiterate their decision in the absence of any new legislation on the issue."
Offering a constructive way forward, the Delhi Assembly LoP said the solution lies in enacting a new law that protects 10-year-old vehicles from arbitrary scrapping. "Therefore, the only solution to this problem lies in bringing a legislation. Given the 1st November deadline, the BJP Government in Delhi needs to bring in a legislation to protect 10-year old vehicles. Now that BJP is in power in Centre and State, the bill can be passed within days if the government intends to. For this purpose, a special assembly session of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha can also be convened immediately to debate this bill in detail."
Concluding her letter, Atishi extended full support from the AAP to the BJP government in this legislative effort. "I on behalf of Aam Aadmi Party, assure you that we will help and support your government in all possible ways for passing this legislation and providing relief to lakhs of people living in the national capital."
Sharing a copy of letter on X, Delhi Assembly LoP Atishi wrote: "Removing 10-year old cars from roads of Delhi is an all-out attack on the middle class who dreams, works hard and saves to buy a car. The sword of 1st Nov is still hanging over the heads of car owners. Delhi Govt must immediately call a Special Session of the Assembly and pass a legislation to protect middle class car owners."