Starting July 1, Delhi is rolling out a major rule to tackle air pollution: diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years will not be allowed to refuel at any fuel station in the city. This rule applies to all vehicles, even those registered outside Delhi.
How Will This Work?
Delhi’s fuel stations are being equipped with special cameras called Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. These cameras scan the number plates of every vehicle coming in for fuel. The system checks the vehicle’s age using a central database. If a vehicle is too old, the camera will alert the staff, and fuel will not be provided.
What Happens If Your Vehicle Is Too Old?
If an old vehicle is caught trying to refuel, it could be impounded or sent for scrapping. Fuel stations have strict orders to deny fuel to any vehicle that breaks the age rule. Any station that ignores this rule can face legal action.
This rule will soon expand to other big NCR cities like Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat. These cities must have the same camera system ready by October 31. The entire NCR region will follow these rules by April 2026.
Why This Strict Rule?
Delhi has millions of old vehicles that are a big source of air pollution. Removing these vehicles from the roads is a crucial step to improve air quality and make the city healthier for everyone.
What Should Vehicle Owners Do?
- Check your vehicle’s age. If it’s a diesel vehicle over 10 years old or a petrol vehicle over 15 years old, you won’t be able to refuel in Delhi.
- Consider scrapping old vehicles or switching to newer, cleaner models.
- Be prepared for strict checks at fuel stations.
This new rule is a major step towards a cleaner, greener Delhi. If you own an older vehicle, now is the time to plan!
