'Only Solution To This Problem Is...': AAP's Atishi Writes To Delhi CM Over 'Irrational' Ban On EOL Vehicles

AAP leader Atishi Marlena criticized Delhi's plan to scrap older vehicles, impacting 6 million owners.

Delhi Leader of Opposition Atishi Marlena wrote to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday over the recent plan to scrap 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in the national capital. The AAP leader further said that even though the proposal from 1st July was rolled back immediately after public backlash, now another deadline of 1st November hangs over their heads. She also added that the only solution to the problem lies in bringing a legislation.

According to her, if the decision is implemented, it will impact at least 60 lakh vehicles (20 lakh four-wheelers and 40 lakh two-wheelers) in the national capital.

"I am writing this letter to you as a voice of lakhs of residents of Delhi who are perturbed by your government's recent plan to scrap 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in the national capital. Even though this proposal that started from 1st July was rolled back immediately after public backlash, now another deadline of 1st November hangs on their heads. If this decision is implemented, it will have an impact on atleast 60 lakh vehicles (20 lakh four wheelers and 40 lakhs two wheelers) in the national capital...," the former Delhi CM Atishi wrote in the letter to Rekha Gupta.

She criticised the government's approach, saying that for Delhi’s middle-class families, owning a car is an aspirational milestone.

"Many people purchase second-hand vehicles or retain older cars for personal and family use. Removing 60 lakh vehicles in one go will severely impact their lives. Affording a new vehicle is not a viable option for most," the AAP leader said.

The AAP leader also questioned the logic of using vehicle age as the sole criterion for scrapping.

“There might be cars that are just 3-4 years old but are polluting, and others that are 10-12 years old but well-maintained. A blanket ban is illogical and only benefits car manufacturers and scrappers,” she said.

While acknowledging the need to address pollution, Atishi said that enforcing a blanket ban is not the solution and called for a legislative route instead. She urged the BJP-led Delhi government to convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha to debate and pass a bill protecting end-of-life vehicles. She also assured full support from the Aam Aadmi Party in passing such a bill.

The Delhi government began impounding overage vehicles at petrol pumps from July 1, in compliance with the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order. Petrol pumps were instructed not to provide fuel to vehicles older than 10 years (diesel) and 15 years (petrol) under directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). However, the Delhi government later on July 3 wrote to the CAQM, citing technological and administrative challenges in implementing the fuel ban. Following a review meeting, the CAQM put the enforcement on hold until November 1 and announced that the campaign would be launched across Delhi and five adjoining high-vehicle-density districts—Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, and Sonipat—from that date.