Registration of 2,000cc diesel ambulances resumes in Delhi

The registration of diesel ambulances with an engine capacity of 2,000 cc has resumed in Delhi after a ban was imposed on registration of diesel vehicles on the direction of the Supreme Court.

The Transport Department has started collecting 1% of the ex-showroom price of such vehicles as green cess. This comes after the apex court on August 12 allowed registration of diesel ambulance cars with engine capacity of 2,000 cc.

In an order issued on September 9, the Transport Department has asked the motor licensing officer (MLO) to register such ambulance cars.

“The concerned registering authority i.e MLO (HQ) is hereby directed to register diesel ambulance cars with engine capacity of 2,000 cc, after the vehicle is certified by the fitness unit at Burari and upon production of the proof of the deposit of 1% of the ex-showroom price towards environment protection charge with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB),” the order said.

The dealers or sub-dealers, who collect the environment protection charge, will then be required to deposit this amount with CPCB for pollution control efforts.

Earlier this month, the city’s Transport Department had also ordered registration of diesel cars and SUVs with engine capacity of 2,000 cc and above.

The Supreme Court had on December 16, last year, banned the registration of diesel cars and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) of 2,000 cc capacity and above till March 31 this year, in an effort to clean up Delhi’s toxic air.

However, last month it lifted the ban and asked to implement the ‘polluter pays’ principal, bringing a sigh of relief to car owners and dealers.