New Delhi: In a major push to combat air pollution, the Delhi government has implemented a ban on dispensing fuel to ‘end-of-life’ vehicles starting today. Under this new rule, petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles over 10 years old will no longer be allowed to refuel at any petrol pump in the capital. This move targets one of the primary contributors to Delhi’s air pollution—vehicles—which, according to a 2024 report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), are responsible for over 51% of local emissions.
The enforcement, backed by the Commission for Air Quality Management’s Statutory Direction No. 89, affects all categories of overaged vehicles including private cars, goods carriers, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, and even vintage vehicles. The scale of the impact is massive—over 62 lakh vehicles in Delhi alone fall under this category. Neighboring states are also affected, with 27.5 lakh overaged vehicles in Haryana, 12.69 lakh in Uttar Pradesh, and 6.2 lakh in Rajasthan, as of March 2025.
To ensure strict implementation, the Transport Department has deployed enforcement teams in coordination with Delhi Police, Traffic Police, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Petrol pumps have been divided into zones for better management. Delhi Police will monitor stations numbered 1 to 100, while the Transport Department will handle those from 101 to 159. Each of the 350 key fuel stations will have a traffic police officer on duty, supported by two additional police personnel to maintain law and order.
Technological assistance is also being used in the form of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed at 498 fuel stations. These cameras, linked to the VAHAN database, will automatically identify vehicles beyond permissible age and alert fuel operators and enforcement authorities. Such vehicles may also be impounded and sent for scrapping.
However, the rollout has not been smooth. Fuel station operators and commuters have raised concerns about the lack of preparedness and awareness. Nischal Singhania, a petrol dealer, criticized the move for being rushed without a trial period, questioning how long enforcement teams would remain deployed and how dealers would handle the burden afterward. Many fear being penalized for inadvertently fueling banned vehicles.
Commuters also voiced concerns, especially regarding the absence of public awareness campaigns. A commuter named Mohit suggested a 15–30 day trial run to educate the public. He emphasized that those unaware of the new rule, particularly people passing through Delhi, could face serious inconvenience. Staff at some petrol stations, like one in Green Park, admitted they had not received any training on how to identify and deny service to violators.
Some citizens questioned the logic behind the blanket ban, pointing out that many older vehicles are well-maintained and may still meet pollution norms. One two-wheeler rider argued for a more nuanced approach that considers a vehicle’s actual condition and suggested that a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) should be the deciding factor instead of age alone.
While the fuel ban is a bold step toward reducing pollution, its success depends on effective communication, proper training of enforcement teams, and public cooperation. Without these, what was meant to be a solution could quickly spiral into confusion and confrontation on the ground.
