NewKerala.com

Key Points

The CAQM has postponed the fuel ban on overaged vehicles in Delhi-NCR to 2025-26 after reviewing operational challenges. Diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years will face restrictions starting November 2025 in high-density districts. Enforcement will rely on ANPR systems, with penalties including impounding under scrapping rules. The move aims to balance pollution control with practical enforcement hurdles while complying with Supreme Court and NGT directives.

Key Points: Delhi-NCR Fuel Ban on Overaged Vehicles Postponed to 2025-26

  • Ban on refueling diesel (10+ years) & petrol (15+ years) vehicles starts Nov 2025 in Delhi & key NCR districts
  • Full NCR rollout by April 2026
  • ANPR systems to enforce vehicle tracking & penalties
  • Delhi govt cited tech & legal hurdles in earlier timeline
2 min read

Fuel ban on overaged vehicles postponed, new timeline for Delhi-NCR enforcement

CAQM delays fuel ban for old vehicles in Delhi-NCR until 2025-26, citing operational challenges while reaffirming pollution control commitment.

"EoL vehicles remain a serious threat to air quality and public health, and enforcement must proceed with urgency. – CAQM"

New Delhi, July 8

In a significant policy shift aimed at curbing vehicular pollution in the National Capital Region, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has amended its earlier directive to enforce a phased ban on refuelling End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles.

The revised order, issued on July 8, responds to operational concerns raised by the Delhi government and introduces a new implementation timeline for Delhi and five high-density NCR districts.

Under the amended Direction No. 89, fuelling of EoL vehicles—defined as diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years—will be prohibited from November 1, 2025, in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat. The ban will extend to the remaining NCR districts from April 1, 2026.

Vehicles identified through Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems or other mechanisms will be subject to legal action, including impounding and disposal under the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) Rules, 2021, and other applicable policies of the respective state governments and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD).

The decision follows a detailed review of challenges cited by the Delhi government, including technological limitations in the ANPR system, lack of integration with neighbouring states’ databases, and concerns over legal uniformity under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Officials also warned that a fragmented rollout could encourage fuel smuggling from adjacent districts. The Transport Departments of the GNCTD and NCR states are responsible for ensuring the proper installation and operation of ANPR systems. They must conduct timely system trials, train personnel, and widely disseminate the directive among stakeholders, including fuel station operators, to ensure strict compliance through robust enforcement.

All agencies involved in the phase-out of EoL vehicles are required to submit monthly progress reports to the Commission detailing actions taken toward fleet liquidation. Despite the concerns raised, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, which have consistently upheld the ban on overaged vehicles in the NCR.

The CAQM emphasised that EoL vehicles remain a serious threat to air quality and public health, and that enforcement must proceed with urgency. This directive marks a decisive step in Delhi-NCR’s ongoing battle against air pollution, with the CAQM making clear that compliance will be mandatory and closely monitored.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a Gurugram resident, I'm relieved but also concerned. The pollution levels are unbearable during winters. While the extension helps vehicle owners, shouldn't public transport be improved first? Metro connectivity is still poor in many NCR areas. Fix that before banning private vehicles!
A
Aman W
Typical government approach - announce first, think later. They should have sorted the ANPR systems and state coordination BEFORE announcing bans. Now taxpayers' money will be wasted on multiple trials and training. Why can't we learn from other countries' pollution control methods?
S
Shreya B
Good move but implementation is key! My father's 12-year-old diesel car runs perfectly fine with regular maintenance. Age alone shouldn't determine pollution levels - they should test each vehicle's actual emissions. Many new vehicles pollute more than well-maintained old ones!
V
Vikram M
The fuel smuggling warning is serious! Remember how CNG vehicles were filling up in neighboring states during Delhi's CNG mandate? Unless all NCR states implement this uniformly, it won't work. Centre should take stronger leadership instead of leaving it to states to coordinate.
N
Nisha Z
What about proper scrapping policies? Many old vehicles end up in informal sector causing more pollution. Government should ensure proper recycling facilities are ready before enforcing bans. Also, where are the subsidies for electric vehicles? Can't expect everyone to suddenly buy new cars!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50