Delhi govt bows to public anger, seeks pause on overage vehicle fuel ban

New Delhi: The Delhi government has urged the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to put on hold its directive mandating a ban on fuel sales to End-of-Life (EOL) vehicles, citing significant technological and operational hurdles. In a letter to CAQM dated July 2, 2025, Environment Minister Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa said immediate implementation of the fuel ban, scheduled to take effect from July 1, would be “premature and potentially counterproductive.”

The move follows widespread public concern and confusion over the fuel ban, which was to be enforced using Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems at fuel stations. Sirsa’s letter highlights that while Delhi remains fully committed to phasing out polluting vehicles in line with Supreme Court and NGT orders, the current readiness of the ANPR system and supporting infrastructure is inadequate.

The government’s letter points to technological glitches with the ANPR system, including faulty camera placement, non-functioning sensors, and other operational shortcomings. Further, the system is not yet fully integrated with databases from neighbouring NCR states, making it difficult to accurately identify and block fuel for EOL vehicles registered outside Delhi. The inability to identify vehicles with issues related to High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) further complicates enforcement.

Sirsa also warned that a Delhi-only ban could push vehicle owners to procure fuel from nearby districts such as Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, potentially encouraging illegal cross-border fuel trade and defeating the purpose of the policy. The lack of similar measures and ANPR infrastructure in neighbouring states further undermines the effectiveness of the scheme.

In his communication, Sirsa underscored Delhi’s ongoing efforts to curb vehicular pollution, such as massive tree plantation drives, exploring cloud seeding, stricter Pollution Under Control (PUC) norms, mandatory anti-smog measures for commercial buildings, and improved road cleaning. He also noted plans for preventive messaging through SMS alerts to owners of vehicles nearing their EOL status, including those registered outside Delhi, to ensure they take necessary action.

Delhi has requested that the CAQM allow more time for system improvements and for a coordinated rollout across NCR, stating that “these issues require proper trial and error corrections before the same can be implemented in Delhi.” The government maintains that only a holistic, region-wide approach will yield effective results, and stressed the need to defer the directive until such an ecosystem is in place.

The CAQM’s directive had sparked public backlash and confusion in recent days. The Delhi government’s call for deferral is aimed at preventing operational chaos and unintended negative consequences while reaffirming its commitment to robust pollution control measures.