Delhi Govt. Seeks To Halt EOL Vehicle Fuel Restrictions

The Delhi administration has formally requested the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to immediately halt the controversial fuel ban targeting end-of-life vehicles, emphasising major technological and operational obstacles that have rendered the policy unworkable, NDTV Profit reported.

Formal Request Submitted To CAQM

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has announced at press conference that the state has submitted an official communication to CAQM, detailing the administration's inability to effectively execute the directive. 

The request comes amid mounting public dissent with the regulation that took effect on July 1.

"We are trying to ensure that vehicles are not banned purely based on age, but rather on the pollution they cause," he was quoted as saying.

In his correspondence to the CAQM chairperson, Sirsa stated: "There are critical operational and infrastructural challenges that make it unfeasible to implement this order at this juncture." The minister expressed concerns that technological inconsistencies and insufficient integration with National Capital Region states could render the system counterproductive.

Technical Glitches In Implementing ANPR System 

The current regulation prohibits fuel stations throughout Delhi from providing fuel to diesel vehicles exceeding 10 years of age and petrol vehicles older than 15 years that have undergone de-registration and lack legal road permits, following judicial directives.

However, the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system installed at fuel stations has encountered numerous operational difficulties. The minister identified several persistent issues including improper camera positioning, malfunctioning sensors and speakers, and challenges in identifying vehicles lacking High Security Registration Plates (HSRP).

These technical deficiencies have created significant implementation barriers, preventing the system from functioning as intended and causing confusion among fuel station operators and vehicle owners.

Public Opposition Against Restrictions

The policy has generated substantial public discontent, with vehicle owners arguing that well-maintained older vehicles should not face restrictions "purely based on their age."

The Delhi government has acknowledged this growing opposition and positioned itself as "an advocate for affected citizens."

The administration is actively exploring alternative approaches to the current policy framework, seeking solutions that focus on actual emission levels rather than arbitrary age thresholds. This approach aims to address environmental concerns while maintaining fairness for responsible vehicle owners.

NCR Coordination Gap Creates Policy Loopholes

A key implementation challenge stems from the lack of coordination with neighbouring National Capital Region (NCR) cities including Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad. 

Vehicle owners subject to Delhi's fuel restrictions can easily circumvent the ban by refuelling in these adjacent areas where no such limitations exist.

"The fuel ban in Delhi alone will not serve its intended purpose unless implemented uniformly across the entire NCR," he said, highlighting the policy's fundamental weakness in addressing regional air quality concerns.

Sirsa emphasised that ANPR systems in these neighbouring regions remain non-functional, creating opportunities for banned vehicles to bypass restrictions through cross-border refuelling. This coordination gap undermines the policy's effectiveness and raises questions about its environmental impact.

"We strongly urge the Commission to pause the implementation of Direction No. 89 until the ANPR system is fully integrated across the NCR," Sirsa wrote.

Alternative Pollution Control Measures

The Delhi government has initiated several alternative pollution control strategies while seeking suspension of the fuel ban. These measures include implementing stricter Pollution Under Control certification requirements, particularly targeting vehicles from outside Delhi.

The administration is developing an early warning system that would notify owners of aging vehicles 2-3 months in advance through SMS messaging, providing sufficient time for transition planning. This proactive approach aims to address environmental concerns while offering vehicle owners reasonable preparation time.

Since the fuel ban implementation began, Delhi's transport department and traffic police have started impounding end-of-life vehicles discovered at fuel stations, creating additional enforcement complications and public frustration.

The government's request for suspension represents a significant policy reversal, acknowledging that the current approach requires substantial modification before effective implementation can occur.