SC refuses to extend deadline for converting diesel taxis to CNG

The Supreme Court on Saturday refused to give more time to taxi operators in the National Capital Region (NCR) to switch from diesel to the cleaner compressed natural gas (CNG).

The deadline for the change, which has been extended twice, is Saturday.

A number of cab operators and their associations urged the court for an extension of the deadline, but a bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice R. Banumati refused the request.

The apex court, by its December 16, 2015 order, had initially asked the diesel cab operators in Delhi to switch over to CNG by March 1. However, by its January 5, 2016 order, the court, bringing all the diesel taxis operating in the NCR in the ambit of its December 16 order, extended the deadline to March 31.

On March 31 on a request by diesel cab operators, the time was extended to April 30 with court then making it clear that it would give not further extension of time to switch over to CNG. 

The matter related to steps to be taken to curb alarming increase in air pollution in the national capital.