Order

With a view to tackle problems arising out of chaotic traffic condi­tions and vehicular pollution and not being satisfied with the steps taken by the concerned authorities in addressing themselves to those problems, this Court issued certain directions accepting the report of Bhure Lal Committee, as it was felt by the Court that any further delay in the performance of its duty by the Administration could not be permitted. At this stage, we are concerned only with the direction issued by this Court to the effect that all commercial vehicles which are more than 15 years old shall not be permitted to ply in the Na­tional Capital Territory of Delhi with effect from 2nd October, 1998.

2. An affidavit has been filed by Shri S. Raghunathan, Principal Secretary-cum-Commissioner Transport, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi on 28th August, 1998. The learned Solicitor General appearing for the Administration submits that phasing out and banning all commercial vehicles which are more than 15 years old by October 2, 1998 would lead to great hardship to the owners of those vehicles in particular and to the general public which makes use of those vehicles in general. It is, t