Delhi Fuel Ban: Govt Lifts Ban Within 72 Hours Citing Technical and Operational Issues

Vehicle owners found refueling end-of-life vehicles, which include petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel cars older than 10 years, will face significant penalties. The fines are set at Rs 10,000 for cars and Rs 5,000 for bikes, along with potential towing and parking charges. This strict enforcement aims to deter the use of high-polluting vehicles in the city.

The Delhi government plans to implement an 'Impulse System' at 500 petrol pumps, which will identify old vehicles and significantly reduce vehicular pollution. Additionally, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems will be installed at all entry points to detect end-of-life vehicles, ensuring compliance with the new regulations.

The Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025 includes several key features such as planting 70 lakh trees under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, deploying 11,000 buses including 8,000 electric buses by 2026, and using mist sprayers at pollution hotspots. The plan also emphasizes the importance of public engagement in pollution control measures.

Under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) restrictions, individuals with disabilities are exempt from the ban on BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel vehicles if their vehicles are adapted for personal use. This exemption acknowledges the challenges faced by differently-abled individuals in accessing public transport and ensures their mobility needs are met.

To promote electric mobility, the Delhi government plans to deploy 2,299 electric autorickshaws at major Metro stations and establish 18,000 EV charging points across various commercial areas. Additionally, a revised electric vehicle policy aims to shift 80% of government vehicles to cleaner fuel alternatives, reinforcing the transition towards sustainable urban transport.