New Delhi
Delhi Fuel Ban: Govt Lifts Ban Within 72 Hours Citing Technical and Operational Issues
The Delhi government has requested the Centre’s air quality body to halt enforcement of the fuel ban on end-of-life vehicles, just days after it was implemented. The request cites system limitations and lack of regional coordination.
Keshav Rajput
Updated Jul 4, 2025, 11:22 AM IST
Within 72 Hours Delhi Govt Suspended the Fuel Ban on Overage Vehicles, Citing Technical and Operational Issues. (Representative image)
On the evening of July 3, less than 72 hours after the fuel ban came into effect on July 1 in Delhi, the state government urged the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to suspend its recent directive banning fuel supply to end-of-life vehicles (EOLVs) across the city.
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Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, in a letter to CAQM Chairman Rajesh Verma, stated that the move faces major technological and administrative obstacles. The ban affects diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years.
Technical Issues with ANPR System
The letter highlighted multiple concerns with the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system used to identify EOLVs at fuel stations. These include malfunctioning cameras, faulty sensors and problems related to High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP) recognition. The minister added that the system is not fully integrated with databases from neighbouring NCR states.
Uneven Enforcement Raises Concerns
Officials warned that enforcing the fuel ban only in Delhi would push vehicle owners to nearby cities like Gurugram or Faridabad for fuel, weakening the policy’s effectiveness. Delhi also noted that no ANPR systems have been installed at fuel stations in adjacent districts, making cross-border coordination unviable.
Ongoing Anti-Pollution Measures
The Delhi government outlined several steps it is already taking to manage vehicle emissions. These include:
- Tighter enforcement of Pollution Under Control (PUC) norms
- Real-time monitoring systems
- Mandatory anti-smog equipment at construction sites and commercial buildings
- Public alerts to vehicle owners nearing EOL status
Request for Delay in Implementation
"Therefore, 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. We are confident that the ongoing multi-pronged efforts of the Delhi Government will achieve substantial improvements in air quality," the letter added.
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