Supreme Court rejects plea for nationwide vehicle star-rating to curb pollution

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a PIL seeking implementation of a nationwide star-rating system for vehicles to promote eco-friendly options and curb air pollution.

A bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, hearing the petition filed by Sanjay Kulshrestha, said that the issue falls within the scope of policy-making by the executive.

“Since the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the state, we are not inclined to interfere. However, the petitioner may make a representation to the Union of India, which will be considered on its merits,” the bench said.

The petitioner, who appeared in person, urged the bench to direct the Center to operationalize a vehicle star-rating system that would help consumers identify and buy less polluting vehicles. He said this would reduce emissions and associated health hazards.

The petitioner submitted that similar systems already exist in many developed countries, and India’s version, the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP), is pending as a draft from July 2023.

“It already exists in most developed countries. There is a gazette notification, but it has not come out on paper for the last 10 years,” he said.

Highlighting the health crisis associated with vehicle pollution, the petitioner claimed that air pollution is responsible for approximately 21 lakh deaths annually in India, with fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) emissions from vehicles being a major contributor.

“It is also causing birth defects,” he claimed.