Delhi is gearing up for a major change on its roads starting July 1, as overage vehicles will no longer be able to refuel at any petrol, diesel, or CNG station across the city. This move targets diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years, aiming to tackle the city’s persistent air pollution and enforce long-standing environmental regulations.
To make this possible, nearly all of Delhi’s 400 petrol pumps and 160 CNG stations are being equipped with automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. These high-tech systems will instantly scan and identify vehicles as they arrive, checking their age against official records. If a vehicle is found to be beyond the permissible age, it will be denied fuel on the spot. The installation of these cameras is almost complete, with only a handful of stations left to be updated before the deadline.
This crackdown follows directives from the Commission for Air Quality Management and builds on previous Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal orders that banned the operation and parking of such old vehicles in public spaces. The new system is designed to ensure strict compliance, and violators will not only be refused fuel but may also face legal action under the Motor Vehicles Act.
For vehicle owners affected by this rule, the options are clear: either obtain a No Objection Certificate from the transport department to move the vehicle outside the National Capital Region or have it scrapped at an authorized facility. The authorities are also addressing logistical challenges, such as ensuring that the cameras and alert systems work seamlessly to prevent any overage vehicle from slipping through.
Delhi’s ambitious fuel ban is expected to impact lakhs of vehicles and marks a significant step in the city’s ongoing battle against air pollution. With the infrastructure in place and enforcement set to begin, Delhi is poised to become a model for other cities looking to phase out aging, polluting vehicles from their roads.
