Delhi tightens enforcement, impounding & scrapping ageing petrol & diesel vehicles
Delhi authorities have announced stricter enforcement against end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), stating that ageing petrol and diesel vehicles identified on public roads or in other public locations may be impounded and sent for scrappage. The move follows existing court directions and pollution-control regulations aimed at reducing vehicular emissions in the capital.
Under the current rules, diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years are categorised as ELVs in Delhi. Vehicles meeting older emission standards, including BS-III and earlier, also fall within the enforcement scope. Such vehicles are not permitted to operate within city limits once they cross the prescribed eligibility thresholds.
Officials clarified that enforcement will apply not only to vehicles seen driving but also to those parked in public areas such as roadside spaces, markets or other commonly accessible locations. Once identified, these vehicles may be seized and routed for scrappage without individual advance notices to owners.
The Transport Department has emphasised that vehicle condition, maintenance history or limited use will not be considered grounds for exemption. The classification is based on age and regulatory compliance rather than physical condition.
Owners who wish to retain their vehicles have the option to move them outside the National Capital Region. For this, they must first obtain a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) permitting transfer to another state or region where local rules allow continued registration or use. Vehicles cannot be legally relocated without this clearance.
The latest directive signals renewed implementation of long-standing environmental measures intended to curb pollution levels in Delhi, where transport emissions remain a significant concern for policymakers and public health authorities.
