Starting July 1, 2025, Delhi is rolling out a tough new policy to tackle air pollution by targeting old vehicles. If you own a car or bike that’s too old, you might not be able to fuel up in the city anymore. Here’s a simple guide to what’s happening and what it means for you.
What Is an End-of-Life (EoL) Vehicle?
- Petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years are now considered End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles in Delhi.
- EoL vehicles are major sources of pollution, emitting much more harmful stuff into the air compared to newer vehicles.
- No matter where your vehicle is registered, if it’s old enough, the new rules apply to you in Delhi.
How Will the New Rules Be Enforced?
- Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are now installed at almost all fuel stations in Delhi. These cameras scan your vehicle’s number plate as soon as you enter.
- The system checks a central database to see if your vehicle is too old. If it is, the fuel station staff will be alerted and will not give you fuel.
- If your car or bike is flagged as EoL, enforcement teams from the transport department, traffic police, and local authorities will be notified.
- Your vehicle may be impounded on the spot and sent to a scrapping facility.
- For the first time caught at a fuel station, you might be able to take your vehicle back after signing an affidavit and paying a fine.
- If you are caught a second time, your vehicle will be seized immediately and sent for scrapping.
What Happens If You Break the Rules?
- Fines: Owners of EoL four-wheelers from outside Delhi-NCR can be fined ₹10,000. For two-wheelers, it’s ₹5,000.
- Towing and parking charges will also apply if your vehicle is impounded.
- You’ll need to submit an undertaking that your vehicle will not return to Delhi.
- Fuel station staff can also be penalized if they break the rules and refuel EoL vehicles.
How Many Vehicles Are Affected?
- In Delhi alone, there are about 6.2 million EoL vehicles. That includes 4.1 million two-wheelers and 1.8 million four-wheelers.
- In the wider NCR region (which includes parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan), there are millions more old vehicles.
- The new rule will be extended to the rest of NCR in phases:
- Delhi: July 1, 2025
- Five busy NCR districts: November 1, 2025
- Rest of NCR: April 1, 2026
- Delhi: July 1, 2025
What’s the Big Picture?
- The goal is to reduce air pollution by getting rid of old, polluting vehicles.
- The government has run awareness campaigns and meetings with fuel station owners and other stakeholders.
- Enforcement will be strict, with teams at every fuel station and regular checks.
- The rule is based on earlier Supreme Court and Green Tribunal orders that banned old diesel and petrol vehicles in Delhi.
If you have an old car or bike, it’s time to think about replacing it. Delhi’s new rules are strict, and enforcement is already underway. The aim is to make the city’s air cleaner and safer for everyone. So, check your vehicle’s papers, stay updated, and avoid the hassle of fines and impoundment.
