Starting 1 July, fuel stations across Delhi will no longer be allowed to serve petrol and diesel to old private vehicles, as part of the capital’s toughest crackdown yet on vehicular emissions. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has ordered a citywide ban on refuelling diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles older than 15 years—regardless of whether the vehicles are registered within Delhi or elsewhere.
The sweeping order aims to close enforcement loopholes and deter out-of-state vehicle owners from circumventing local restrictions. It comes as Delhi continues to struggle with one of the world’s most hazardous air quality levels, much of which stems from ageing internal combustion engines, poor fuel standards, and road congestion.
To enforce the directive, the Delhi government is deploying Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras across more than 500 fuel stations in the city. These advanced surveillance systems will scan vehicle number plates and cross-check them with the national VAHAN database to verify vehicle age and emission compliance. Any vehicle flagged as non-compliant will be denied fuel. Station operators who violate this rule face penalties, while vehicle owners risk impoundment or mandatory scrapping under the Registered Vehicle Scrappage Facility (RVSF) framework.
The CAQM has framed the initiative as a direct intervention to bring down alarming levels of nitrogen dioxide (NOâ‚‚) and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) generated by older vehicles. Experts suggest that while Delhi has made strides in cleaning up its industrial and power generation sectors, the transportation sector remains the most visible and stubborn contributor to poor air quality.
The new fuel restrictions are not limited to Delhi. From 1 November 2025, the same measure will be extended to key National Capital Region (NCR) districts including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat. These jurisdictions are mandated to install their own ANPR networks by 31 October 2025. The rest of the NCR will follow in a phased rollout, with full enforcement planned from April 2026.
According to official estimates, Delhi alone hosts nearly 62 lakh vehicles that fall outside the permissible age norms—a staggering figure that illustrates the scale of the problem. Authorities anticipate the policy will significantly reduce fuel consumption by outdated vehicles, accelerate scrappage of polluting vehicles, and push citizens toward cleaner mobility options such as electric or hybrid vehicles.
While the fuel ban is being positioned as a climate-forward measure, its success will depend heavily on enforcement, technology reliability, and public compliance. Critics have raised concerns about the lack of adequate charging infrastructure, scrappage incentives, and the readiness of the public transport system to absorb displaced vehicle users.
Still, the move represents a rare, large-scale regulatory shift in India’s ongoing battle for cleaner cities. If executed effectively, it could serve as a blueprint for other Indian metros facing similar air quality crises—paving the way for a future built on sustainable, low-emission mobility systems.
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