In a major relief for vehicle owners in Delhi, the government has paused its fuel ban policy that aimed to stop fuel sales to End-of-Life (ELV) vehicles. The delhi car ban, which took effect from July 1, 2025, targeted diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. However, due to widespread public backlash and serious implementation challenges, the Delhi government has temporarily put the decision on hold.

Fuel Ban Policy Faces Challenges

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has officially written to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), requesting the suspension of Direction No. 89, which mandated fuel stations to deny fuel to overage vehicles. The reason? The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, meant to identify ELVs at petrol pumps, is not ready for full-scale implementation.

The minister pointed out that the ANPR cameras installed at Delhi’s 498 fuel stations are unable to properly read High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP), which are mandatory across Delhi-NCR since April 2019. The system also lacks integration with databases in neighbouring states, making enforcement uneven and unreliable.

Rs. 15 Lakh Budget? These 4 Upcoming SUVs Will Be Total Game-Changers – Read here

Over 62 Lakh Vehicles Affected

Data shows that over 62 lakh vehicles—including private cars, bikes, trucks, and even vintage vehicles—could be affected by the original order. The plan was to identify these vehicles using ANPR cameras, link them to a central database, and automatically alert fuel pump operators to stop refuelling ELVs.

But due to “technological inconsistencies” and “complex systems,” the government says it is not currently possible to enforce such a large-scale fuel ban. The policy has also faced strong criticism from vehicle owners, who argue that the rules unfairly punish well-maintained older vehicles without considering their emission levels.

From Hyundai to Skoda – India’s Most Awaited SUVs Launching Soon! – Read here

Delhi Proposes a Balanced Approach

Instead of a blanket ban, the Delhi government now wants to focus on seizing only visibly polluting or poorly maintained vehicles. The plan is to avoid penalising responsible owners who maintain their cars well. A new system is also being developed to notify ELV owners via SMS two to three months before their vehicle reaches its expiry period.

The government has also introduced stricter checks through a revised Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate regime, especially targeting out-of-state vehicles entering Delhi. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and the Environment Minister have both stated that the ANPR-based system should only be implemented in Delhi after it is properly integrated and launched in the surrounding NCR cities by November 1, 2025.

New Mini-Palisade at Rs. 8 Lakh Coming to rival Tata Nexon! – Read here

Final Thoughts

While the Delhi government remains committed to improving air quality, it is now opting for a phased and more practical approach. The focus is shifting from a hardline fuel ban to targeting actual polluters. For now, lakhs of vehicle owners can breathe a sigh of relief—but cleaner, smarter enforcement measures are still on the horizon.

Source – NDTV Profit