Delhi High Court to Review Policy Penalizing Petrol Pump Owners for Refueling Old Vehicles

Delhi High Court Takes Up Challenge Against EoL Vehicle Policy

New Delhi, July 3: The Delhi High Court has decided to review a petition contesting the city government's regulations that impose penalties on petrol station owners for refueling 'end-of-life' (EoL) vehicles, specifically petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years.

A bench led by Justice Mini Pushkarna has issued a notice and requested responses from both the Delhi government and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) regarding the petition submitted by the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association.

The petition argues that the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) established by the city government is 'arbitrary' and 'irrational,' placing an undue burden on petrol station owners and their staff to enforce the Motor Vehicles Act, despite lacking the necessary authority or resources to do so.

The court is expected to hear the case again on September 8.

In an effort to enhance air quality and reduce emissions in the capital, which is often listed among the most polluted cities globally, the Delhi government has implemented stringent regulations concerning EoL vehicles.

According to CAQM directives, all petrol stations in the National Capital Territory (NCT) will be required to deny fuel to older vehicles identified through AI-driven Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.

These AI-enabled cameras, installed at petrol stations, will automatically detect outdated vehicles by analyzing their number plates. Once identified, these vehicles will be flagged in the system to prevent them from receiving fuel.

Currently, 498 fuel stations have been outfitted with ANPR cameras to facilitate real-time identification. Not only will EoL vehicles be prohibited from refueling, but they will also incur hefty fines if spotted in public areas.

Owners of four-wheelers found in violation of this rule will face a fine of Rs 10,000, while two-wheeler owners will be penalized Rs 5,000.

Authorities have also stated that EoL vehicles parked in public spaces or near fuel stations will be subject to seizure. Vehicle owners are urged to check their registration status and refrain from using outdated vehicles to avoid penalties and confiscation.

This initiative follows alarming data from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which revealed in November 2024 that vehicles account for 51% of pollution from local emission sources in Delhi, making them the primary contributor to the city's air pollution.

The petition seeks that the Delhi High Court annul the city government's policy that aims to prosecute and penalize fuel station owners under Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.