Issue Raised by the Supreme Court:
- The Supreme Court raised questions about whether there are restrictions on the number of vehicles a person can own in the same city.
- It also questioned if there are any laws requiring commercial and residential complexes to provide adequate parking spaces for the increasing number of vehicles.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance)
Context of the Query:
- The court was considering a note prepared by amicus curiae, senior advocate Aparajita Singh, which recommended a robust public transport system to reduce the reliance on private vehicles. This, in turn, could help mitigate the rising levels of pollution and air toxicity in the national capital.
Court’s Observations:
- Justice A.S. Oka, leading the Bench, pointed out the practice of individuals buying multiple vehicles in the same city, which contributes to the congestion and pollution.
- The court highlighted the issue of parking spaces, noting that in many residential complexes, people own two or three vehicles and yet, there may be insufficient parking spots within the premises.
- The court called for development regulations to mandate the provision of adequate parking spaces in both residential and commercial complexes, urging that approvals for new developments should be contingent upon ensuring parking availability.
Proposed Solutions:
- The court proposed that public authorities should buy only electric vehicles (EVs) as part of an effort to tackle the pollution problem, noting that electric vehicles are an important part of the solution to reducing emissions.
- Aishwarya Bhati, Additional Solicitor-General, representing the Commission for Air Quality Management, responded that while the government is moving aggressively towards adopting EVs, a balance needs to be maintained since electricity, a primary power source for EVs, is still largely drawn from coal, which itself contributes to pollution.
Parking Policy Recommendations:
- The court emphasized the need for a comprehensive parking policy due to the growing influx of vehicles in the capital city. The current parking situation, with vehicles often parked on roads, exacerbates traffic congestion and air pollution.
- Ms. Singh, the amicus curiae, suggested that an integrated and efficient public transportation system would be essential to reduce the reliance on private cars, which are a significant cause of the pollution crisis in Delhi.
Next Steps:
- The Supreme Court plans to hear further arguments on these issues, including the impact of vehicle ownership and parking policies on pollution, on February 3, 2025.
- Authorities such as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Ministry of Urban Affairs, and the Delhi Development Authority are required to respond to the court’s queries in the next hearing.
