Fuel refused to old vehicles to reduce air pollution in Delhi!

The Delhi government has officially enforced a fuel ban on old vehicles starting July 1, 2025. This new rule targets petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles over 10 years, classifying them as End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs). Fuel stations across the national capital have been instructed to refuse fuel to such vehicles, as part of a strict effort to combat air pollution in Delhi.

ANPR Cameras Installed at Fuel Stations for ELV Detection

To ensure strict compliance, the government has installed AI-powered Automatic Number Plate Reader (ANPR) cameras at nearly 350 fuel stations in Delhi-NCR. These cameras are connected to automated hooter systems that trigger alarms when a banned vehicle is detected. The enforcement drive has been initiated under the directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), with the Transport Department, Delhi Police, Traffic Police, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) working together in coordination.

80 Vehicles Impounded on Day 1 of Fuel Ban Drive

On the very first day of implementation, officials captured 98 overage vehicles on camera, out of which 80 were impounded. According to authorities, the Transport Department seized 45 vehicles, Delhi Police took action against 34, and the MCD impounded one. The drive officially began at 6 AM, and by 1 PM alone, 24 vehicles had already been impounded by the Delhi Police.

Several fuel station owners stated that the ban was largely effective from the first day, with most overage vehicles not attempting to refuel. Strict monitoring was carried out by enforcement teams at select fuel stations, especially in areas like South Delhi.

Delhi Government Urges Vehicle Owners to Comply

Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Ajay Chaudhary, stated that the primary goal of this move is to improve Delhi’s air quality and reduce pollution. He added that this is an ongoing campaign, and from November 1 onwards, the fuel ban policy will also be enforced in areas surrounding Delhi.

Vehicle owners can retrieve their impounded ELVs within 15 days by paying a fine. However, these vehicles must be registered outside Delhi, where such age limits do not apply, after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Transport Department.

Based on Supreme Court and NGT Orders

The latest enforcement stems from a 2018 Supreme Court judgment and a 2014 National Green Tribunal (NGT) order. The 2018 ruling had already banned the use of diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years within Delhi. The NGT had further prohibited the parking of such overage vehicles in public areas.

With this strict fuel supply restriction now in place, owning and using outdated vehicles in Delhi has become significantly more difficult, reinforcing the capital’s efforts toward a cleaner, greener environment.