Fuel Ban On End-Of-Life Vehicles In Delhi-NCR Deferred To November 1; Policy To Roll Out In 5 Key Districts
The CAQM fuel ban for End-of-Life vehicles has been deferred until November 1, due to the Delhi government's concerns about faulty ANPR systems and the need for a uniform NCR-wide policy.
In a notable policy revision targeting vehicular emissions in Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has postponed the implementation of its earlier directive banning fuel refills for End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles. The amended directive, issued on July 8, introduces a phased rollout starting from November 1, 2025, in Delhi and five key NCR districts. The decision comes in response to concerns raised by the Delhi government over technical and logistical hurdles, including incomplete ANPR (Automated Number Plate Recognition) infrastructure.
Earlier, CAQM had directed that from 1 July, no fuel should be provided to diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years within the national capital, regardless of their state of registration.
Implementation to Begin Across NCR on November 1
As per the revised Direction No. 89, EoL vehicles—classified as diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years—will be barred from fuelling in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat from November 1, 2025. The rest of the NCR will follow suit from April 1, 2026.
Vehicles identified through Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems or equivalent tools will face strict action, including impounding and disposal, as per the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) Rules, 2021, and respective state regulations.
Officials cited integration issues with inter-state databases, technological limitations in the ANPR system, and legal inconsistencies under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as key hurdles. Concerns were also raised about the potential for fuel smuggling from nearby districts if implementation was uneven.
Delhi Government Cites Tech Limitations, Seeks Uniform Policy
The Delhi government, during the meeting, argued that the ANPR cameras installed at fuel stations in the capital were not functioning optimally. According to sources present at the meeting, the Secretary of Delhi’s Environment Department highlighted detection issues and stressed the need for a coordinated rollout across the NCR.
He reportedly argued that “if the directive is enforced only in Delhi, owners of old vehicles could simply refuel in neighbouring states, defeating the purpose of the fuel restriction aimed at reducing pollution.”
As a result, the CAQM has granted Delhi three additional months to fix technical shortcomings in its detection systems. The deadline for full readiness has been set for 31 October 2025.
CAQM Order ‘A Positive Step’, Says Delhi CM
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed the revised timeline, terming it a “positive step” that takes into account the city’s concerns.
“Taking cognisance of our concerns, they have deferred the entire order till 1st November 2025, and I believe this is a positive step. The time we now have will be used to better prepare and work towards providing greater relief to the people. The previous governments only complicated the issue and failed to provide any solution, due to which the Hon’ble Court had to pass stringent orders affecting Delhi, many vehicles were scrapped and seized,” she said.
Pollution Fight Must Be Guided By Data: Environment Minister
Echoing the sentiment, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa described the deferment as a “major relief” for city residents. He reiterated the need for evidence-based policymaking in the fight against air pollution.
“After our request, the CAQM has shown sensitivity towards the concerns of the people. This is a big relief for Delhiites,” Sirsa said.
He further argued that while polluting vehicles should indeed be phased out, decisions should not be based solely on the age of the vehicle. “Polluting vehicles must be banned, but not just because they are old. Any policy must be based on emission data, not age,” he added, noting the government’s plan to conduct scientific studies and present findings to the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Sirsa also questioned the scrapping of nearly 80,000 vehicles during the previous regime, highlighting the absence of an adequate scrapping facility in Delhi. “There is no proper scrapping facility in Delhi. We want to know where those vehicles went. A thorough inquiry will be initiated into this,” he stated.
Cameras to Flag EOL Vehicles at Fuel Stations
Fuel pumps in Delhi have already been equipped with ANPR cameras. These devices scan the number plates of incoming vehicles and check their details against the central VAHAN database. If a vehicle is flagged as overage, the system alerts fuel station staff to deny service. Details of such violations are passed on to enforcement agencies for further action, which may include impounding or scrapping of the vehicle.
However, growing public dissatisfaction prompted Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa to request CAQM last week to postpone implementation. He described the move as premature and “potentially counterproductive”, citing ongoing infrastructural constraints.
ANPR Systems To Be In Place by October
To avoid confusion and ensure compliance, the Transport Departments of Delhi and NCR states have been tasked with completing installations, conducting training, and raising awareness among fuel station operators by October 31.
All agencies involved in the EoL vehicle phase-out must submit monthly reports to the CAQM, detailing progress and enforcement actions. Despite deferring the timeline, the CAQM reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing court and tribunal directives, stressing that EoL vehicles pose a significant threat to public health and air quality.
(With PTI, IANS Inputs)
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