New Delhi, March 13 -- Heavy and light commercial vehicles, including trucks, vans and dumpers, entering Delhi will have to pay higher environment compensation charges from April 1 after the Supreme Court on Thursday approved a proposal by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to enhance the levy with the objective of restoring its "deterrent effect" and discouraging heavy commercial vehicles from passing through national capital. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi accepted CAQM's proposal to increase ECC for light commercial vehicles and two-axle trucks from Rs.1,400 to Rs.2,000, while the charge for three-axle trucks and vehicles with four or more axles will rise from Rs.2,600 to Rs.4,000. The revised charges will come into effect from April 1, 2026. The bench described the proposed increase as "reasonable" and consistent with the court's original intent. The court also approved the commission's proposal to introduce a 5% annual increase in ECC rates, directing that the escalation will begin from April 1, 2027. Additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati appeared for CAQM, while senior advocate Aparajita Singh assisted the court as amicus curiae in the long-running environmental litigation. The top court said the revised rates should now act as a deterrent for heavy goods carriers and container trucks using Delhi as a transit route....