New Delhi : Citing technical glitches and lack of coordination with NCR states, the Delhi government has urged the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to put on hold its directive banning the sale of fuel to overaged vehicles in the city. In a letter addressed to the CAQM chairperson, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa called the implementation of the order “premature” and “potentially counterproductive,” pointing to major technological and operational shortcomings.
The directive, issued by CAQM on April 23 this year and enforced from July 1 in Delhi, prohibits petrol pumps from dispensing fuel to diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. These vehicles, categorised as End-of-Life (EoL) by the Delhi Transport Department, also include those no longer validly registered, regardless of fuel type.
Minister Sirsa said that initial enforcement of the ban revealed significant ground-level challenges. The technology being used to identify such vehicles—mainly Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras—is currently unable to function reliably due to issues like unreadable or missing High Security Registration Plates (HSRP), and a lack of access to vehicle data from NCR states. This has resulted in inconsistent identification of EoL vehicles at fuel stations, leading to public confusion and enforcement delays.
In the letter, Sirsa also raised concerns about the uneven implementation of the ban. He said that enforcing it only within Delhi has allowed vehicle owners to bypass restrictions by simply refuelling in neighbouring NCR cities like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, where the directive is yet to be enforced. This, he warned, could give rise to a parallel illegal market for fuel along Delhi’s borders and ultimately defeat the purpose of the pollution control measure.
The minister stressed that such a regulation must be implemented in a coordinated manner across the entire NCR to be truly effective. Until the necessary technical and data systems are in place, he said, the ban should be paused. “We strongly urge the Commission to put the implementation of Direction No. 89 on hold with immediate effect till the ANPR system is seamlessly integrated across the entire NCR,” Sirsa wrote.
Despite calling for the deferment, the Delhi government reiterated its commitment to reducing pollution and improving air quality. Sirsa pointed to other ongoing initiatives like the citywide plantation drive launched on Thursday as part of the government’s broader environmental agenda.
According to estimates, Delhi has nearly 61 lakh vehicles that have crossed the age threshold, including over 18 lakh cars. With many owners unable to afford new vehicles, public pressure has been mounting for the government to allow older vehicles to operate based on fitness and emissions rather than age alone.
Transport experts have supported this view. Dr. Anil Chikara, former Deputy Commissioner in the Transport Department, said that many overaged vehicles remain roadworthy and non-polluting. He said Delhi should follow the model used in other states, where fitness tests determine vehicle eligibility rather than arbitrary age cut-offs.
The CAQM is expected to review the Delhi government’s request in the coming weeks. As per the commission’s roadmap, the directive will be extended to other NCR cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad from November 1, with full implementation across all NCR districts planned from April 1, 2026.
