A Capital in Crisis, a Government in Action
Every winter, Delhi’s skyline turns into a choking haze, with air pollution reaching alarming levels. The capital consistently ranks among the most polluted cities in the world, and the single largest contributor to its deteriorating air quality is vehicular emissions. Now, the newly elected government, under the guidance of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), is rolling out a bold new enforcement plan to clean up the capital’s roads—starting with a strict ban on refuelling overaged vehicles.
From July 1, any petrol or diesel vehicle older than 15 and 10 years respectively will be denied fuel at all pumps across Delhi. This sweeping move is designed to phase out so-called End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs), which spew out disproportionate amounts of pollutants and are now flagged for elimination using cutting-edge technology.
The New Enforcement Regime: Fuel Denied to Overaged Vehicles
At the heart of this policy is a network of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras now operational across all 520 fuel stations in Delhi. These smart systems are linked to the national VAHAN database, allowing real-time identification of non-compliant vehicles.
Here’s how it works:
· When a vehicle pulls into a fuel station, its number plate is scanned.
· The system checks if it qualifies as an ELV or lacks a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).
· If flagged, an audio alert is triggered: “DL XX XX XXXX is an EoL vehicle. Not to be fuelled.”
· Petrol station staff are instructed to deny fuel immediately.
Enforcement teams from the Delhi Transport Department and Delhi Traffic Police will patrol to ensure compliance, with powers to impound vehicles that violate the order.
Phased Rollout: Beyond Delhi
This campaign is just the beginning. The action plan has a three-stage timeline:
· July 1, 2025: Fuel denial begins in Delhi.
· October 31, 2025: Five high-density districts of NCR (Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Sonipat) follow.
· April 1, 2026: Full-scale rollout across the remaining National Capital Region (NCR).
The scale of this operation is massive. Delhi alone has 62 lakh ELVs, including 41 lakh two-wheelers and 18 lakh four-wheelers. The wider NCR houses an additional 44 lakh overaged vehicles.
Legal Backing and Compliance History
The policy is not without precedent. It rests on:
· A 2015 NGT order banning overaged vehicles.
· A 2018 Supreme Court judgment upholding the ban.
· The 2021 Vehicle Scrapping Policy, which created a formal exit path for ELVs.
Already, Delhi has seen 3.63 crore vehicles screened under the ANPR system. Since its trial launch in December 2024:
· 4.9 lakh vehicles were identified as ELVs.
· 29.52 lakh updated their PUCCs.
· Fines totalling Rs 168 crore were issued.
Under the new enforcement, a second impoundment means automatic scrapping at Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs). While non-Delhi vehicles can be released on fine payment (Rs 10,000 for four-wheelers, Rs 5,000 for two-wheelers), they must exit the NCR.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
According to Dr Virender Sharma, Member (Technical) at CAQM, older vehicles—especially BS-III models—emit up to 6 times more NOx and 4.5 times more PM than newer BS-VI compliant vehicles. Their removal, he says, is critical to improving Delhi’s air quality, particularly before the winter smog season sets in.
This crackdown, he adds, moves enforcement from paper to pavement. “The orders existed, but implementation was weak. This new system brings real-time, on-ground enforcement through technology.”
The CAQM clarified that BS-VI compliant petrol, diesel, CNG, and electric vehicles will continue to be allowed. The strategy focuses on the most polluting segment of the fleet.
Strategic Reserves and Emergency Measures
To cushion the transition, the government is offering:
· No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for vehicle relocation outside NCR.
· Access to scrapping facilities for seamless disposal.
· Expansion of strategic fuel storage and refining capacity, ensuring future energy security.
A Hard Reset for Cleaner Air
Delhi’s new action plan marks a major shift in how urban India addresses vehicular pollution. With strong legal support, robust technology, and phased enforcement, it aims to reclaim the capital’s air—one overaged vehicle at a time.
While challenges remain—especially public resistance and logistical hurdles—the message is clear: Drive clean or don’t drive at all. The initiative could serve as a national template, proving that determined governance and smart surveillance can drive meaningful change in India’s fight for clean air.
(With agency inputs)
