People queue up in Gorakhpur to buy BS-III vehicles ahead of ban

With today being the last day of sale as per the Supreme Court order, the people in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur city rushed to buy Bharat Stage III (BS III) vehicles at discounted rates.

The apex court on Wednesday banned the sale and registration of BS-III vehicles from April 1, stating that health of citizens is more important than commercial interests.

In a bid to handle the pollution menace in the country, the court passed the order saying that BS-III vehicles could aggravate the already deteriorating air quality in the country.

The apex court had earlier on March 28 heard a plea seeking ban on registration of BS III vehicles from April 1.

The Centre had told the apex court that automakers were allowed to clear unsold stocks after cut-off date when BS III and BS IV norms were introduced.

It was conveyed to the apex court that technically and financially it was impractical to convert BS III vehicles to BS IV.

The development comes in the wake of the court monitoring the alarming air pollution levels in the national capital region.