Fuel Ban on Old Vehicles in Delhi Postponed to Nov 1 Citing Tech Issues

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has postponed the enforcement of the End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) fuel ban in Delhi to November 1, 2025, expanding its reach simultaneously to key NCR districts. 

The move follows significant opposition from the Delhi government over infrastructure inadequacies and legal complexities.

Fuel Ban Delayed Due to Technical and Legal Challenges

Originally implemented only in Delhi, the ELV fuel ban was aimed at curbing pollution by restricting fuel sales to diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15. However, defective Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems due to poor camera placement and data integration failures hindered enforcement. 

Delhi authorities pointed out that without a region-wide application, the ruling led to fuel purchases just outside city limits, defeating its purpose.

Wider Ban Implementation Across NCR Towns

The revised directive will now take effect uniformly in high-traffic NCR districts such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat from November 1, 2025. The rest of the NCR is set to adopt the ban beginning April 1, 2026. This broader rollout aims to prevent policy evasion and ensure equitable compliance in the region.

Read More: Scrappage Policy in Delhi: Controversy Erupts as 'Zero-Pollution' 16-Year-Old Mercedes Labelled Vintage Scrap!

Delhi Government Voices Citizen Concerns

Delhi’s chief secretary notified CAQM about legal ambiguity under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, questioning the fairness of banning ELVs in Delhi while allowing similar vehicles elsewhere in India. The state argued for policies linked to actual emissions rather than vehicle age, highlighting middle-class hardships and the absence of scrapping infrastructure.

Patchy Enforcement and Public Feedback

Initial days of enforcement saw ANPR cameras identify 98 ELVs, 80 of which were impounded. This number dropped to 7 on the second day and none afterward, indicating operational gaps. Fuel dealers welcomed the delay, stating it allows time to resolve technology hurdles and notify the public for better compliance.

Conclusion

The postponement and expansion of the ELV ban reflect a more coordinated approach to vehicular pollution control in Delhi and NCR. By addressing technical glitches and broadening the policy scope, CAQM aims to enforce a cleaner environment without unfairly burdening Delhi’s residents.

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