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Capital Desk, Delhi Magazine: In a landmark move to combat rising air pollution levels in the capital, the Delhi government, in compliance with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) orders, has implemented a complete ban on refuelling petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years at all fuel stations across the city from today.
The ban applies to approximately 62 lakh End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles, regardless of their registration origin, and comes with strict enforcement measures already rolled out at over 350 petrol and CNG pumps.
High-Tech Enforcement in Place
To ensure seamless implementation, the Transport Department has deployed AI-powered Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems integrated with the VAHAN database. These systems instantly detect the age and fuel type of any vehicle arriving at pumps, triggering alerts to attendants to deny fuel if the vehicle falls under the EoL category.
Pump operators have been instructed to follow a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which includes audio-visual warning systems, mandatory signage, and weekly reporting of violations. Real-time alerts are being shared with over 200 enforcement teams including Delhi Police, MCD, and Environment Department officials.
Fines, Impounding & Scrapping Orders
Vehicle owners found violating the ban will face immediate impounding of their vehicle and fines of up to ₹10,000 for four-wheelers and ₹5,000 for two-wheelers. The seized vehicles will be sent to registered scrapping facilities, as per the Motor Vehicles Act.
While CNG vehicles older than 15 years are exempted for now, officials have hinted at future reviews depending on the pollution levels.
Residents React to Sudden Implementation
The decision, though hailed by environmental experts, has caused confusion and panic among thousands of commuters. Many residents complained of being unaware of the enforcement date or unsure if their vehicle qualified as overage.
“I just bought a used car six months ago and didn’t realise it was older than 15 years. Now I can’t even fill fuel,” said Rajesh Yadav, a resident of Lajpat Nagar.
Transport authorities have urged vehicle owners to check their vehicle’s manufacturing date on the VAHAN portal and plan accordingly—either by scrapping, relocating, or upgrading.
NCR Rollout to Follow
Starting November 1, 2025, this fuel ban will extend to key NCR cities like Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, and Sonipat. A wider rollout across all NCR districts is expected by April 2026.
Environmental Impact & Policy Push
With the transport sector being a major contributor to Delhi’s air pollution crisis, authorities believe this move could reduce emissions from older vehicles by up to 50%, especially as monsoon winds delay other pollution control measures like cloud seeding, which has been postponed to August.
The policy is also expected to boost the adoption of electric vehicles, promote public transport, and revive interest in the vehicle scrappage ecosystem—which is currently underutilized.
