Delhi Government Halts Fuel Ban on Older Vehicles Amid Public Outcry

Delhi Government Suspends Fuel Sale Ban for Older Vehicles

The Delhi Government has decided to pause the enforcement of its controversial policy regarding fuel sales to end-of-life vehicles, following significant backlash from residents. Initially, the government had planned to prohibit fuel sales to diesel vehicles older than ten years and petrol vehicles over fifteen years starting July 1, 2025. This initiative aimed to address the severe pollution levels in the capital. Reports indicate that on the first day of this policy, traffic police seized nearly 80 vehicles.

In response to the public uproar, Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa reached out to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to request a halt to the directive. The widespread discontent regarding the new regulations, which would have forced many well-maintained vehicles off the roads, has prompted the government to reconsider its approach to pollution control.

The Environment Minister emphasized that a new system is being developed to target poorly maintained vehicles, as the previous policy could have unfairly impacted conscientious vehicle owners. The earlier rule primarily focused on the age of the vehicle, which does not always accurately reflect its condition.

Potential Impact on Over 6.2 Million Vehicles

According to a report, the proposed rule could have affected approximately 6.2 million vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, and vintage models. The new system was intended to utilize cameras linked to a central database to identify vehicles, allowing fuel pump operators to deny service to those deemed derelict.

Recent statements from the Delhi Government indicate that the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras was not a reliable method for identifying High-Security Registration Plates (HSRPs), which have been mandatory for all vehicles in Delhi NCR since 2019. Furthermore, the government is planning to implement a more rigorous pollution control strategy to ensure stricter regulations for all vehicles. To prevent owners of end-of-life vehicles from being caught off guard, they will receive a warning message three months prior to the planned phase-out.