As per an order dated 22 March 2024, the Special Protection Group (SPG), a Government agency meant to provide protection to the PM, seeked an extension to the registration period of three specialized armoured vehicles used for proximate security of the Prime Minister of India.
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The SPG had seeked an extension of 5 years, until 2029, however, the plea has now been rejected. These vehicles are an integral part of SPG’s tactical operations. Furthermore, these particular models are not easily available in the market and haven’t been used much besides providing security to the PM in their operational span from 2014.
Over the past nine years, the trio of Renault MD-5 vehicles, manufactured in 2013 and registered in December 2014, have travelled approximately 6,000 km, 9,500 km, and 15,000 km respectively.
Why has the plea been rejected?
The Transport Department of NCT Delhi has refused to extend registration citing NGT and Supreme Court orders that prohibit diesel vehicle usage beyond 10 years in the NCR region.
“We are conscious of the fact that these three vehicles are special purpose vehicles which are not normally available and these vehicles have run very less in the last ten years and are needed for the specific purpose of security of the Prime Minister but in view of the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 29.10.2018, the prayer made in the M.A. cannot be granted.” the order said.