SUVs, high-end diesel cars to be banned in Delhi from today? The Supreme Court yesterday hinted towards a ban on registration of new SUVs and high-end diesel cars in the national capital when it said that the rich cannot keep on driving diesel-driven SUVs that pollute the environment.

The court also criticized car manufacturers who had approached the apex court against the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order banning registration of diesel cars in the capital.

The court is also considering increasing by 100 per cent the green cess or environment compensation charge (ECC) imposed on trucks entering Delhi and using its roads as a passage for their onward journey to destinations outside the national capital.

In October, the court had enforced an ECC of Rs 700 on light duty vehicles and Rs 1,300 on three-axle vehicles seeking to enter Delhi. The ECC is in addition to the toll tax levied on such commercial vehicles.

Now, that charge may be hiked up to Rs 1400 and Rs 2,600, respectively. Further, only CNG cabs may be permitted to run on Delhi roads and the ban on burning of the municipal waste be imposed strictly, in addition to introduction of Euro-IV emission norms.

It may be noted that the orders to be passed by the apex court today will likely be valid only till March 31, 2016.

The court also asked the counsel representing the Centre and the Delhi government to enumerate comprehensive long- and short-term plans to control air pollution.