Vintage cars can participate in rallies: NGT

New Delhi, Dec 18 : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday permanently exempted vintage cars from the 15-year-old vehicle ban for participating in "rallies and exhibitions".

The green court, however, observed that the Association of Vintage Car Owners should contribute towards environment conservation by planting trees.

The bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, said vintage cars which satisfy prescribed norms under the Motor Vehicles Act would be allowed to run.

"We direct that antique cars which satisfy prescribed norms under the Motor Vehicles Act would be allowed to ply on the road for exhibitions, rallies and maintenance and will not be allowed otherwise.

"We also observe that the applicant association as part of their corporate social responsibility would make contribution towards environment by planting trees and
providing dustbins which would help in improving the ambient air quality of Delhi," the bench said.

On November 26, 2014, the Tribunal had banned from Delhi roads cars which were over 15 years old, thus disqualifying vintage cars from participating in any rally.

Due to the ban, owners had to take special permission from the green court to drive these vintage vehicles on public roads.

While granting the relief to the vintage cars, the green panel referred to Rule 92 (2)(c) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and Section 59 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which grants exemption to antique or vintage vehicles.