The Delhi fuel ban on old vehicles has been temporarily halted as the government revisits its approach. This move follows a letter to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) requesting a pause on Direction No. 89, which directed fuel stations to stop serving End-of-Life (EOL) vehicles from July 1.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that while environmental safety is a priority, enforcement must be practical and resident-friendly.
Why the Fuel Ban Was Held Back
The government cited major hurdles affecting the ban’s success:
- Delhi fuel ban enforcement via ANPR cameras is flawed due to poor camera placement and tech issues.
- Database mismatch between Delhi and NCR states hinders effective monitoring.
- Risk of people refueling across borders, creating illegal markets.
Political Pushback and Public Resistance to Fuel Ban
BJP MP Parvesh Verma criticized the Delhi fuel ban, stating vehicles should be judged by pollution output, not age. He added that the rule is inconsistent across the NCR region.
Legal Challenges Over Delhi Fuel Ban at Petrol Stations
The Delhi Petrol Dealers Association has filed a plea in the High Court, arguing:
- Dealers aren’t legally empowered to enforce CAQM orders.
- Daily volume (approx. 3,000 vehicles) makes perfect compliance unmanageable.
- Mistakes lead to unfair penalties, blurring lines between state duty and private responsibility.
Supreme Court Rulings Behind the Fuel Ban
The Delhi fuel ban traces back to:
- 2018 SC ruling: Diesel vehicles over 10 years & petrol ones over 15 banned.
- 2014 NGT order: Disallowed parking of 15+ year-old vehicles in public areas.
Delhi’s Next Steps for a Practical Fuel Policy
Officials are considering a more unified vehicle tracking and compliance system that ensures:
- Proper ANPR setup across the NCR
- Centralized databases for smooth enforcement
- Policy rollout that eases the burden on petrol dealers
Useful Resources:
How Delhi Fights Pollution with Odd-Even Rule
India Today
