Delhi halts old vehicle fuel ban after public outcry and tech challenges
The Delhi government has decided to temporarily halt the controversial ban on supplying fuel to older vehicles, following widespread public opposition and technical concerns surrounding the enforcement process. The decision affects petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years, which had been classified as “end-of-life” (EoL) vehicles under the policy intended to tackle air pollution in the national capital.
The policy, enforced by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), came into effect on July 1 and was designed to reduce pollution levels by targeting older, more polluting vehicles.
Over 62 lakh vehicles, including cars, two-wheelers, trucks and vintage models, were estimated to be affected by the order. The enforcement mechanism involved using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed at 498 fuel stations across Delhi. These cameras were connected to a central database to identify EoL vehicles and prevent them from refuelling.
However, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa acknowledged that the existing technology had limitations. He cited difficulties such as system glitches, non-functional sensors and the inability of the ANPR cameras to properly detect High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) issued after April 2019.
Sirsa emphasised that rather than penalising responsible vehicle owners who maintain their vehicles well and possess valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC), the government is considering a more targeted approach. This may involve identifying and removing only poorly-maintained or high-emission vehicles from the roads.
The initial rollout of the EoL ban sparked public backlash, with many vehicle owners expressing frustration on social media. Some argued that well-maintained older vehicles, including luxury models, were being unfairly categorised as polluting without considering their actual emissions performance. Others raised concerns over the financial burden of replacing vehicles, especially given the high taxes associated with purchasing new ones.
Delhi was the first region in the National Capital Region (NCR) to implement the fuel ban, with neighbouring cities like Gurugram expected to follow suit by November 1. It remains uncertain whether those regions will proceed with similar restrictions or reconsider them in light of Delhi’s decision.
The Delhi government has assured the public that it is working on refining the policy to ensure that future measures to combat pollution are both practical and fair.
