In a major step to curb vehicular pollution, Delhi on Tuesday began enforcing a strict fuel ban on end-of-life (EoL) vehicles, with 80 such vehicles impounded on the first day of the crackdown. The move comes amid ongoing monitoring by the Delhi High Court, which has been pressing authorities for robust enforcement of measures aimed at improving the capital’s air quality.
Under directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), petrol pumps have been barred from refueling diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, in line with a 2018 Supreme Court ruling and a 2014 National Green Tribunal order.
A multi-agency enforcement plan was rolled out involving the Transport Department, Delhi Police, Traffic Police, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Officials said 98 vehicles were flagged through surveillance cameras, of which 80 were seized — 45 by the Transport Department, 34 by Delhi Police, and one by the MCD.
Several fuel stations — including those in Rohini, Moti Bagh, Dhaula Kuan, and Lutyens’ Delhi — reported that the ban was implemented smoothly, with trained staff and police coordination. At one station near Bhai Veer Singh Marg, two vehicles were impounded without resistance.
Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ajay Chaudhary said the drive is part of a larger initiative to reduce air pollution. “This is an ongoing drive. From November 1, areas surrounding Delhi will also enforce the ban on supplying fuel to overage vehicles,” he said.
He added that owners of impounded vehicles can retrieve them within 15 days after paying a fine and securing a no-objection certificate (NOC) for registration in areas outside Delhi.
Automatic Number Plate Reader (ANPR) cameras have been installed at petrol pumps to identify EoL vehicles. However, some technical glitches were reported. A petrol car flagged at a Pusa Road station was later cleared after officials confirmed its registration was valid until 2028.
At a Vikas Puri station, an overage petrol vehicle was denied fuel but the driver opted to fill CNG instead — a legal exception under the current guidelines, which exempt CNG-fueled vehicles from the ban.
The Delhi High Court has previously pulled up authorities over ineffective enforcement of vehicle age restrictions, underlining the need for decisive action. Tuesday’s crackdown indicates a firmer approach, in line with judicial expectations and public health imperatives.
